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NLEX: Marilao Interchange Bridge repair to take up to 3 weeks; traffic expected
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation on Thursday said slow-moving traffic is expected as the repair of the Marilao Interchange Bridge may take two to three weeks after an accident.
“Aabutin po yan ng between two to three weeks para matapos po yung pag-restore,” NLEX senior manager for traffic operations Robin Ignacio told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.
(It will take between two to three weeks to complete the restoration.)
During the rush hour, Ignacio said seven to eight kilometers of slow-moving traffic was observed in the area.
“Sa ngayon, biglang humaba na po yung traffic natin dahil rush hour na po. Ang ating tail end nandito sa Valenzuela area, so around within seven to eight kilometers slow-moving traffic po natin. So it will take you around 40 to 45 minutes bago makarating ng tulay,” he said.
On Wednesday, NLEX Corporation announced the temporary closure of two northbound lanes at Marilao Interchange Bridge due to a road crash.
Ignacio said NLEX has dedicated teams to measure the height of vehicles to check if they are overheight for the vertical clearance of the bridges.
However, he said the vehicle that hit the Marilao Interchange Bridge was able to sneak in by not using the truck lane.
According to Ignacio, NLEX had been coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the concerned local government unit (LGU) in the past years as asphalt overlays have reduced the vertical clearance of the bridge.
But, Ignacio said the DPWH and the LGU denied jurisdiction over the Marilao Interchange Bridge.
“Years back po yung coordination na po namin with DPWH pero yun nga po ang tinuturo po ay ang [LGU]. Kaya meron din po kaming coordination kay local pero hindi rin po ina-accept ng local na kanila po yung bridge,” he said.
(We had been coordinating with the DPWH years back but they are pointing to the LGU. That's why we also have coordination with the LGU but the LGU doesn't accept that the bridge is theirs.)
“Lahat naman po kasi ng bridges interchanges dito sa NLEX ay hindi po sa NLEX yan. Under DPWH or yung local government unit po,” he added.
(All the bridges and interchanges here in NLEX are not owned by NLEX. They are under DPWH or the local government unit.)
Asked about the matter, the DPWH—citing its Bulacan 2nd District Engineering Office—maintained that the Marilao Interchange Bridge is not under its jurisdiction but the local government's.
GMA News Online has sought comment from Marilao local government about the matter but it has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.
In a traffic update as of 9 a.m., NLEX Corporation said on NLEX Harbor Link iInterchange to Marilao northbound, middle lanes particularly Lanes 2 and 3 were closed. The running speed was five to 10 kilometers per hour.
A patrol team was on site to manage the traffic situation and a zipper lane was opened after Valenzuela Interchange to Marilao Interchange.
On Marilao southbound, the leftmost lane or Lane 1 was being used as a zipper lane but three lanes remain passable with around 3.5-kilometer traffic buildup.
Meanwhile, the Marilao Interchange Bridge going to MacArthur Highway and San Jose del Monte was temporarily closed due to safety reasons.
Motorists are advised to take alternate routes.
For motorists from Bulacan/Pampanga heading to Manila , they can take NLEX Bocaue Southbound Interchange Exit or NLEX CDV Southbound Exit .
Then, they can turn right to MacArthur Highway and re-enter at NLEX Meycauayan Southbound.
For motorists going to Bulacan/Pampanga, they are advised to take NLEX Karuhatan Exit (via NLEX Harbor Link Interchange/NLEX Paso de Blas NB Exit / NLEX Meycauayan NB Exit going to MacArthur Highway ).
Then, they can re-enter at NLEX CDV Northbound or NLEX Bocaue Interchange. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
