NLEX, LGUs partner for transport planning

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. unit NLEX Corp. is collaborating with local government units (LGUs) to manage traffic flow and plan for anticipated developments in their respective cities and municipalities.

Several traffic management measures and commissioned studies have been undertaken by NLEX to assess the adequacy of existing infrastructure and foresee demands on improvements that would assist both public and private sectors in their planning decisions.

NLEX president and general manager Luigi Bautista said the company is currently assisting Caloocan and Quezon City, where the Balintawak Cloverleaf is located, as well as Meycauayan and Guiguinto in Bulacan.

“We are helping our host communities in developing traffic engineering strategies to improve mobility and keep up with fast-paced economic activities in their areas. We want to ensure that traffic flow is seamless in and out of the expressway,” Bautista said.

“This is our way of strengthening our mission of being a strategic government partner toward development and progress, but all requests or initiatives that may require use of right-of-way or changes in the expressways’ current footprint should be approved by the Toll Regulatory Board,” he said.

NLEX has recently opened the Quirino East Service Road and Camachile ramp to provide alternate routes for motorists and to decongest the Balintawak Cloverleaf.

It has also helped in the relocation of a police outpost in the area to address traffic concerns and improve the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

In Meycauayan, the tollway company has implemented rerouting schemes to alleviate traffic at the interchange and proposed the construction of alternate east-west overpasses, which will be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

A traffic impact study is also in progress for the municipality of Guiguinto to harmonize long-term urban development and transportation plans.

NLEX said high industrialization has been observed in the area, which is why proper urban planning is necessary to facilitate smooth traffic flow.

NLEX has previously partnered with the city of Angeles and city of San Fernando in Pampanga in implementing infrastructure improvements aimed at easing mounting traffic and complementing the growth of trade and commerce.

The recommendations of the previous studies in 2015 and 2017 have been implemented by NLEX, resulting in improved traffic flow despite the heightened urbanization in the said cities.

“Through the years, NLEX has always worked hand-in-hand with its stakeholders in pursuing infrastructure improvements that will boost efficient traffic management and enhance public safety and security,” the company said.