NLEx motorists welcome free toll amid traffic woes
CONGESTION A high volume of vehicles fills the northbound lanes of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) at the Marilao interchange bridge, at 4 p.m. on Monday. —Photo courtesy of NLEx Corp.
MARILAO, BULACAN, Philippines — Motorists welcomed the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) toll-free policy that took effect at noon on Monday for northbound lanes at the Balintawak Toll Plaza and other northbound entry points in Caloocan City and Valenzuela City up to the City of Meycauayan in this province.
The move was aimed at mitigating losses incurred by motorists due to three to four-hour traffic jams in the affected areas, according to the toll road operator NLEx Corp.
Starting Monday, all northbound motorists will no longer be charged tolls via radio frequency identification (RFID) deduction or cash payment at the Balintawak and other northbound toll plazas.
READ: NLEx to reopen Marilao Bridge’s 4 lanes by end-March
According to NLEx Corp., this temporary toll relief will cover the route from Balintawak to Meycauayan.
Gloria Villarino, owner of Gepeston Pest Control based in Bulakan town, expressed her appreciation for the initiative, as it would help offset her company’s rising fuel costs.
READ: NLEx closes Marilao Interchange bridge due to road mishap
“This is a great move. It will somehow help us recover from the huge gasoline expenses we incur daily,” Villarino told the Inquirer on Monday.
Villarino’s company operates five to 10 vehicles traveling between Quezon City and Bulakan daily.
Since the Marilao traffic congestion began on March 19, her company’s vehicles have been stuck in traffic for three to four hours every evening while returning home—a trip that previously took just one hour and 15 minutes.
Benjamin Antonio III, president of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce Inc., thanked Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon for directing NLEX Corp. to implement toll relief.
Vertical clearance
Antonio also noted that NLEx should strictly enforce its 4.2-meter vertical clearance policy to prevent noncompliant vehicles from causing similar incidents in the future.
The bridge sustained severe damage when a 4.9-meter-high truck crashed into the structure. NLEX Corp. immediately closed two inner lanes for safety and began repair work the following day.
The truck driver, identified as Joel Belila, was arrested and charged with reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property.
Francis Mendiola, a van rental service operator from the City of Malolos, said the toll waiver was “fair,” as “traffic is already unbearable, and paying [a] toll on top of that feels unjust. At least, this helps us recover some of our gasoline or diesel costs.”
Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap told the Inquirer on Monday that her friends and family, who attended a gathering in Manila on Sunday, experienced a shorter travel time back home despite the gridlock.
“They made the trip in just two and a half hours, which isn’t bad at all,” she said.
According to a statement released by NLEx Corp. on Sunday evening, the waived P79 toll applies to northbound motorists entering Balintawak, Karuhatan, Paso de Blas, and Lawang Bato in Valenzuela up to Meycauayan—areas under the open system toll collection.
The company clarified that the toll relief only extends up to Meycauayan, as congestion beyond that point—particularly in Marilao—is due to lane closures at the Marilao interchange bridge.
Completion
The toll-free measure will remain in effect until all four lanes of the Marilao northbound section are reopened.
In a recent advisory, NLEx Corp. said that repairs on the Marilao interchange bridge are expected to be completed by the end of the month, in time for the expected influx of Holy Week travelers.
“We ask for the motoring public’s patience and understanding as we fast-track repairs and work to restore normal traffic flow as soon as possible,” NLEx Corp. stated.
