Heavy traffic in NLEX after truck damages Marilao interchange bridge

Traffic along the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) was severely disrupted for over 24 hours on Thursday after a trailer truck damaged the Marilao Interchange Bridge. 

In Oscar Oida's 24 Oras report, the accident, which occurred early Wednesday morning, caused significant delays as efforts to repair the damaged bridge continues.

According to the report, as early as 6:00 a.m., vehicles in the northbound lane were barely moving.  

NLEX officials said two lanes under the affected part of the bridge remained closed as the underside of the structure was being repaired. 

"Sa ngayon ay sarado pa rin po yung dalawang lane sa ilalim po ng affected po ng part ng tulay at yung parte po na yon may support po ngayon na nilagay kaya sarado pa rin po yung mga lanes na yon habang inuumpisahan na po yung pag-repair ng tulay," said Robin Ignacio, NLEX Assistant VP for Traffic Operations. 

(At the moment, two lanes underneath the affected part of the bridge are still closed. We've placed a support structure there, which is why those lanes remain closed while the bridge repair work is underway.) 

As a result of the damage caused by a tanker truck, travel times increased by as much as one and a half to two hours, despite the implementation of counterflow measures on some parts of the southbound lane. Ignacio further explained that traffic is moving at a slow pace, with speeds of only 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, potentially adding an extra two hours of travel time.

"May vertical clearance yun na 4.27 nakalagay naman po dun yung restriction na 4.27 meters lang yung allowed na pumasok pero yung truck over sa 4.27 so lumagpas siya sa limit," said Police Lieutenant Colonel Eulogio Lanqui III of the Marilao PNP. 

(The vertical clearance there is 4.27 meters, and there is a restriction stating that only vehicles up to 4.27 meters high are allowed to pass, but the truck exceeded 4.27 meters, so it went beyond the limit.)

The impact caused the truck driver's wife, who was in the vehicle, to be thrown out of the vehicle. Fortunately, the woman was not seriously injured. The driver is now in police custody and is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property.

"Bale saktong lilipat po siya sa backseat matutulog, paglipat niya bigla ako pumreno," said the truck driver.

(She was about to transfer to the backseat to sleep when I had to suddenly hit the brakes.)

In an interview with GMA Integrated News, the driver claimed that he didn't realize the truck was over the height limit. 

"Kampante ako na lulusot yung karga ko, e sumabit," he said, acknowledging his mistake when questioned about his vehicle exceeding the allowed height clearance.

(I was confident that my load would fit, but it got caught.) 

In the face of speculation that the vertical clearance at the Marilao bridge had been reduced due to recent road paving, NLEX officials denied these claims. 

Ignacio emphasized, "Name-maintain naman po namin na nasa 4.5 po yon e kaya 'di pwedeng patong lang ng patong ng espalto 'pag nagrerepair, ang ginagawa po diyan kinakayod po yung sirang pavement para naman po yung paglatag ganun parin po yung kapal."

(We maintain the clearance height of the bridge at 4.5 meters. The resurfacing process involves removing the old pavement, not adding layers of asphalt that would reduce clearance.)

As repair work continues, motorists are advised to take alternative routes to avoid further delays on NLEX. The bridge is expected to be fully repaired and all lanes reopened within two to three weeks, or at least before the Holy Week.

Travelers are urged to plan their trips and check for updates regarding the ongoing repairs. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News