NLEX told to fix traffic mess: ‘Please do something; let’s have some pride’

By: Charie Abarca - 9 months ago

MANILA, Philippines – “Please do something [about the traffic]. Please let’s have some pride.”

These were Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva’s words on Thursday as he urged the management of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to fix the ongoing traffic mess.

“[NLEX] Northbound right now is hell-like. Come on, please do something please, especially for tomorrow’s FIBA World Cup Opening. We are hosting the world’s biggest basketball event of the year! Please, let’s have some pride. Thank you,” said Villanueva in a tweet.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan from August 25 to 30.

In an update as of 6:43 p.m., NLEX corporation said traffic at NLEX Harbor Link Interchange to Meycauayan Northbound had an approximately 20 to 30 kilometer per hour (kph) running speed.

“All lanes passable plus one zipper lane in the southbound direction,” said NLEX.

Marilao Northbound, on the other hand, has an approximate 20 to 30 kph running speed. Its leftmost lane is closed.

“Three lanes passable plus one zipper lane [in the] southbound direction,” it added.

Both the Candaba Viaduct Northbound and Southbound have light traffic.

“Patrol team assigned at strategic areas to manage the traffic situation. Light traffic in all other areas of NLEX-SCTEX including toll plazas and interchanges,” said NLEX.