Half million vehicles to use MPTC managed expressways this Holy Week

MALOLOS CITY—Infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) is bracing for surge of traffic along three expressways they operate this Holy Week. 

Estimates showed that at least 500,000 vehicles will be using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) during the lenten weekend from April 15 to 21. 

Rodrigo Franco, president and chief Operating officer of the MNTC said that additional manpower will be deployed at major interchanges along the NLEX especially in Balintawak, Bocaue, Mindanao Avenue, Dau and Mabalacat.

At SCTEX, they will deploy additional personnel at Tarlac and Tipo exits.

Franco said they expect traffic to surge by 30 percent  or about 60,000 from the daily average of 170,000 vehicles .

He said that traffic surge is expected starting Holy Wednesday until  late Maundy Thursday for north bound vehicle along the NLEX.

At SCTEX, he said that the daily average of 24,000 vehicles is also expected to climb by 30 percent.

For his part, Ramoncito Fernandez, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MPTC said that Cavitex daily average traffic volume of 101,000 might drop.

He explained that volume is for daily motorists going back and forth to Metro Manila.

“We expected that it will replaced by holiday motorist by the holy week.

Franco added that by Easter Sunday until the next they expect southbound traffic along the NLEX and SCTEX to surge as people return to manila.

He also noted that sponsors for this year’s SMSK program along the expressways are offering services like free wifi, motorist camps and sampling of products.

Some of the products that available at motorist camps are from Maynilad Water,Regent Belgian Wafles, Mochi Gelatin rice cakes, Yasai potao chips, and Rebisco Dowee donuts.

Others includes BeloSun product sampling at selected motorist camps.

Major sponsors for the 2014 SMSK are ShellPhilippines, Smart communications and Philippine Long Distance telephone Company.

Minor sponsors are Philippine Star and Belo  Sun Expert.  Dino Balabo