METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) gave the media an insight on all its upcoming projects that aims to provide a seamless travel to all motorists using NLEX, SCTEX and CAVITEX.
In a well-attended press conference held recently at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, MPTC President Rodrigo Franco cited their preparedness for the annual exodus of vehicles on their way to their respective provinces, for the observance of All Saints Day.
Franco said that during holidays like “Undas”, the volume of vehicles traversing the expressways that they manage typically increases by 15 percent and that MPTC is all set to help motorists who will travel up north (NLEX and SCTEX) and down south (CAVITEX) which started as early as October 26 for the UNDAS.
The upcoming projects, which has begun are the construction of new toll lanes in Pampanga, will address the rapid pace of province’s traffic growth. These toll plazas are the San Fernando (southbound entry and exit), Mexico and Angeles and lastly additional lanes at the connecting ramps of NLEX and SCTEX in Mabalacat City.
The Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. on the other hand, is set to inaugurate left-turning flyover at the Marina that will aid in smoother traffic flow, as it will eliminate existing traffic lights. These projects are targeted to be completed by the end of this year.
For thousands of Easytrip subscribers, MPTC has increased the number of exclusive electronic toll collection (ETC) lanes to 27 from 15 last year at NLEX. Cavitex will get two more toll lanes and the Paranaque Toll Plaza will converted to exclusive RFID lanes.
Meanwhile, over at the SCTEX four emergency call boxes (ECB) that will greatly help stranded motorists are being installed at Porac and Dinalupihan (Subic-bound) and at Dolores and San Miguel for those Tarlac-bound motorists.
These call boxes will enable distressed motorists to directly reach the SCTEX Traffic Control Room easily so that they can immediately dispatch SCTEX patrol teams to the area. The call boxes are also equipped with cameras for security purposes.
Aside from the call boxes, variable electronic message signs like the ones found along NLEX, will be put up at the interchange of Floridablanca and Concepcion for Subic-bound motorists and at Porac and Bamban forthose going at the opposite direction.
But the highlight of the press conference was the implementation once more of the SMSK or “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” along the NLEX, SCTEX and CAVITEX.
Now on its 9th year, the SMSK will continue to enhance traffic management and collection services during these holidays.
As early as October 26 up to November 5, the NLEX and SCTEX traffic management team will extend working hours to closely monitor the expected huge volume of vehicles at the Balintawak, Mindanao Ave., Bocaue, Sta.Ines, Tarlac and Tipo toll plazas.
Additional patrol and incident response teams will be deployed in critical areas to immediately aid troubled motorists.
During the peak periods of October 26,28,31 and November 1, the Balintawak Toll Plaza will open all its 28 booths. While Mindanao Ave. will have 10, Tarlac 20, and Tipo with 6 collection points. Porta booths and portable toll collection equipment will be deployed to lessen motorist waiting time at the toll plazas.
The exodus back to Manila which are expected on October 28, November 1,2,3 and 4 will have the Bocaue toll Plaza operating at its maximum with a total number of 60 collection points for returning motorists and vacationers alike.
Construction works along main roads at the NLEX-SLEX and CAVITEX will be halted from October 26 till November 5.
SMSK Motorists Camps will offer free calls, WIFI, drinking water, basic mechanic services and first aid treatment as well, will be set up at designated locations. There will also offer 24-hour free towing services to the nearest exit for class 1 vehicles starting October 31 till November 4.
MPTC urges all motorists to make use of their smartphones and other devices such as tablets to view real-time traffic situation along NLEX-SCTEX via Facebook live and just look for their FB page, NLEX Corp.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo