Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) is undertaking a P3.7-billion enhancement program to boost service capacity on its expressways in both North and South Luzon and to support the Philippine government’s traffic decongestion efforts.
MPTC and NLEX Corporation president and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco said the enhancement program involves both completed and ongoing expansion of roads and toll plazas, construction of new exits, improvement of interchanges, and use of the latest technologies. MPTC is the holding company of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Cavite Expressway (Cavitex).
Recognizing the huge role of advanced technologies in delivering efficient service to the public, MPTC has made the Easytrip RFID (radio frequency identification) payment option available to motorists on NLEX-SCTEX and integrated it with the existing RFID system in Cavitex. Using RFID stickers to pay for toll allows more seamless and convenient travel along the MPTC expressways, the company said in a statement.
At NLEX, 64 kilometers of new lanes between Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga have been fully opened this year to improve travel convenience, ensure safety of motorists, and promote growth of local businesses in the Central Luzon region.
More toll lanes have been built in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, and Meycauayan toll plazas to increase transaction capacity and speed up travel between Metro Manila and the provinces in the north. New traffic decongestion exits going to the cities of Meycauayan and Valenzuela have also been opened to the motoring public recently.
The San Fernando City Interchange is also up for enhancement as two completely new bridges are being constructed, to be used as separate carriageways to decongest traffic in Pampanga’s capital city. Construction of a right-turning ramp to Mabalacat-Magalang Road in Pampanga is underway to make Sta. Ines a full interchange.
Meanwhile, the new Mabiga Interchange on SCTEX will soon serve as a full diamond interchange by eliminating the U-turn slot from SCTEX to MacArthur Highway. New on and off ramps with entry and exit toll plazas will be constructed for faster and safer travel.
Two toll lanes are being added to the Tipo Exit Toll Plaza, bringing the total number of toll booths to six.
At Cavitex, traffic is expected to ease once the ongoing construction of new expressway lanes on both northbound and southbound directions of R1 Coastal Road and the building of a flyover on Pacific Drive are completed.
The company has also elevated its speed management by using Speed System CCTV along NLEX-SCTEX to enhance traffic safety and control. Unlike the speed gun, the Speed System CCTV performs automatic speed profiling, plate number identification, and photo printing.
“Providing motorists with a travel experience that keeps getting better has always been a top priority for MPTC,” Franco noted. “Rest assured that these innovative projects will make travel along our expressways an even more delightful experience.”
Image courtesy of mapichai at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
