NLEX vows better flood management, to help LGUs declog waterways

MANILA, Philippines — The private operator of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) is scaling up its efforts with local government units on flood control to prevent traffic disruption during heavy rains.

Robin Ignacio, NLEX Corp. assistant vice president for traffic operations, yesterday said motorists could expect better flood management from the company following the seven-hour gridlock on the tollway last Monday.

Ignacio said NLEX Corp. would work with local governments in declogging canals and creeks from the Balintawak Toll Plaza and Paso de Blas Interchange pumping stations, which the firm operates to push water out of the tollway on days of heavy rain.

However, Ignacio said waterways nearby are clogging up and this slows down the release of floodwater out of NLEX.

Given this, Ignacio said it is important for NLEX Corp. to intensify its partnership with local governments in clearing the waterways between Balintawak and Paso de Blas.

NLEX Corp. promised to close toll plazas early if the tollway is flooded again to minimize the volume of vehicles that could get stranded.

Ignacio said Maynilad Water Services has extended assistance to NLEX Corp. by deploying trucks that can siphon floodwater out of the tollway. He added that NLEX also stationed boats along the tollway for the company to use to respond in times of flooding.

As part of its long-term solutions, NLEX Corp. is planning to raise the elevation of multiple parts of the tollway to lessen the chances of flooding. NLEX Corp. has done a similar project in San Simon, Pampanga. The section has yet to suffer from flooding for the past two years.

Ignacio said NLEX Corp. is keen on building an elevated tollway in the expressway to expand transit options for motorists. Last year, The STAR broke the story that NLEX Corp. is designing a P70-billion 17-kilometer elevated road between Balintawak and Tambubong Interchange.

Ignacio, however, said the project – called NLEX Air – is still in the preliminary stage and has yet to secure approval from regulators and source funding from investors.

Last Monday motorists complained about getting stuck in NLEX for more than seven hours as it was flooded from evening to midnight due to non-stop rains.