Be informed! Here are the holiday traffic choke points along NLEX starting Dec. 23

Are you planning a trip north of Metro Manila for the holidays?

Brace yourself for hours in traffic starting December 23, 2022, at selected toll plazas on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

The NLEX Corporation, which owns and operates the 102-kilometer expressway, said in a December 2022 press statement that motorists should expect heavy congestion in the following areas:
 

“As more people are expected to gather and celebrate this festive season, more motorists are also expected to travel,” said NLEX Corporation president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista. 

“We would like to encourage them to take their trips during nonpeak hours and use RFID for faster transactions at the toll plazas,” he added.

The company said cash-paying motorists are encouraged to shift to RFID to avoid queuing at the cash lanes. 

“Those who have no RFID may have the sticker installed for free and pay the initial load,” NLEX Corporation said.

Under the government's toll collection interoperability project, motorists can use either an Easytrip or Autosweep RFID as long as it has a dedicated Easytrip account.

The firm also reminded existing RFID users to ensure that they have enough load, while those concerned should have their sticker checked at the nearest Easytrip station.

Free towing during holidays

NLEX Corporation said it will also deploy 1,000 personnel, including patrol officers, medical crew, and tollbooth staff, from Dec. 23, 2022, to Jan. 3, 2023, to assist motorists and ensure smooth traffic flow.

The company added that all roadworks on NLEX and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, except those on the Candaba Viaduct, will be suspended unless these are safety-related.

The firm also said free towing assistance to the nearest exit would be available for Class 1 vehicles on the following dates:

• Dec. 23, 2022, 6:00 a.m. to Dec. 26, 2022, 6:00 a.m. 

• Jan. 1, 2023, 6:00 a.m. to Jan. 3, 2023, 6:00 a.m.

Motorists may also check the traffic situation before heading to their destinations through the traffic advisories on NLEX Corporation’s social media accounts. 

They may also tune in to DWRW 95.1 FM for traffic bulletins. For inquiries or other concerns, motorists may call the NLEX-SCTEX hotline at 1-35000.

Where are you headed off to this holiday season?