Collapsed coping beam of Skyway Stage 3 project causes NLEX traffic

MANILA, Philippines — The North Luzon Expressway Sunday morning advised motorists of traffic build-up at the southbound lane of Balintawak.

It made the traffic advisory after a 58-ton coping beam being installed for the Skyway Stage 3 project fell down after it got detached from its hook at around 9 a.m.

“The incident caused the flow of traffic to slow down at Balintawak/Camachile area,” it said.

NLEX Corp said it already coordinated with the Skyway management and the contractor for the retrieval of the coping beam.

READ: Skyway Stage 3 to partially open this month

It added that NLEX traffic and safety teams are already on site to manage the traffic situation and ensure motorists' safety.

NLEX also apologized for the inconvenience and asked motorists to take alternative routes to avoid traffic.

“As of 10:35 AM, traffic build up at Balintawak SB. You may take alternative routes (Segment 10 C3 Int, Mindanao exit and Karuhatan exit),” it said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways earlier said that the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 is an 18.68-kilometer elevated expressway stretched over Metro Manila from Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City.

It is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2020. — Rosette Adel