Up to 370,000 vehicles daily seen on NLEX amid Christmas exodus 

The volume of vehicles traversing the North Luzon Expressway is expected to increase from the daily average 334,000 to 370,000 as Christmas Day draws near.

According to Ian Cruz’s report in 24 Oras on Friday, the exodus is evident in the slow traffic in both lanes of the expressway. 

A 10% jump in car volumes are also expected along the NLEX Connector and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in the coming days. 

“Binigay po namin ang time frame ng peak period. Pero ina-advise din natin sila mas maganda mag-monitor sila ng current situation ng traffic ng NLEX, SCTEX, at connector road,” said NLEX spokesperson Robin Ignacio. 

(We already gave the time frame for the peak period. But we are advising motorists to always monitor the current traffic situation in NLEX, SCTEX, and in the connector road.) 

Rock throwers 

Aside from the heavy traffic, NLEX also warned of scalawags throwing rocks on innocent drivers. 

The Malis Overpass in Guiguinto, Bulacan might be fenced, but it does not have a roof to prevent anyone from throwing things into the air. 

However, a guard is now deployed near the overpass to discourage such incidents. 

NLEX said that it is now coordinating with the Philippine National Police and the local government unit regarding the rock-throwing incidents. 

“Maari silang huminto sa medyo mas maliwanag na parte at ‘yun po kailangan lang po nila ng hotline namin para tumawag po agad para mapuntahan agad ng aming personnel at ma-assist at mabigay ang pangangailangan nila,” said Ignacio. 

(They can stop in a lighted portion and they need to call our hotline to call for help from our personnel.) 

On the other hand, San Miguel Corporation announced that toll fees on its expressways would be waived during specific hours for the holidays,  covering December 24 to 25, 2024, and December 31, 2024 to January 1,  2025.

The following expressways operated by SMC are covered:

• Skyway System
• NAIA Expressway (NAIAX)
• South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
• STAR Tollway
• Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway

—NB, GMA Integrated News