Free toll, zipper lanes on NLEX demanded by DOTr
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is not having any of NLEX’s excuses following the recent incident involving a truck exceeding the vertical clearance of the Marilao Interchange bridge, which resulted in heavy damage to the said bridge and heavy traffic.
The DOTr demands two things: 1) FREE toll fee on the affected areas, and 2) additional lanes or zipper lanes to mitigate the ensuing traffic caused by the lane closures.
“It's a double whammy for motorists if they’re still charged the full toll [fee] while they’re stuck in traffic for hours, especially when they’re only traveling for a short distance. This is just a small consolation for the inconvenience experienced by motorists and passengers,” said Transportation Secretary, Vince Dizon.
To mitigate traffic congestion, NLEX Corporation has opened an additional lane to help improve traffic flow. Simultaneously, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has demanded an explanation from NLEX regarding potential penalties for allowing an over-height truck that damaged the bridge. In a separate action, NLEX has filed reckless imprudence charges against the truck driver and its owner.
Dizon has assured the public that the Transportation Department and its attached agencies are working closely with NLEX to repair the damaged bridge as quickly as possible. “We are in close coordination with NLEX management and we thank them for their urgent response to the incident and their cooperation to mitigate traffic,” added Dizon.
“The President has always reminded us that we should give time back to the people. That’s why we must fix this immediately so that motorists and passengers won’t be stuck in traffic for hours,” said Dizon.
Earlier, Sec. Dizon told NLEX that the repair works should be completed in less than 2 weeks.
