Traffic choke points on Maharlika Highway eased—police

LUCENA CITY—Here is one good news for Manila-bound motorists from Bicol who will rush back to Manila via the Maharlika Highway after spending Holy Week in the province.

Senior Superintendent Valerian de Leon, Quezon police chief, said the traffic choke points between Pagbilao and Atimonan towns have been eased with the return of two-way traffic in both north and south direction.

De Leon said the section of the Maharlika Highway, particularly between the village of Binahaan and Palsabangon in Pagbilao, is now passable to all types of vehicles.

“The traffic movement is now normal and light,” De Leon said over the phone after his inspection of traffic along the Maharlika Highway at noon Sunday.

Quoting reports from different police stations, De Leon said the movement of vehicles along the Quezon stretch of the Maharlika Highway toward Bicol and Manila was also normal and free from any obstructions.

De Leon reiterated his advice to motorists to obey traffic laws and signs for safe travel.

The Quezon police chief said policemen, Army soldiers, barangay tanods (village watchmen), volunteer communications groups and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) emergency crew, would continue to man the long stretch of the highway to protect and assist motorists.

Authorities expect heavy volume of Manila-bound vehicles starting Monday.

Late last month, pockets of road construction projects, mostly road-widening works, between Pagbilao and Atimonan towns often stuck hundreds of motorists for hours.

The DPWH was forced to suspend road construction projects along the highway during the Holy Week.