SMC Tollways gets ready for heavy Holy Week traffic

This early, SMC Tollways, operator of Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), Skyway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX), STAR and South Luzon Expressway, has readied contingency plans ahead of the Metro Manila Holy Week traffic surge.

Expecting a 10 percent surge in traffic volume for the holidays, the tollways operator is mobilizing all operations staff, additional toll collectors, ambulant tellers and traffic management personnel during the week.

It is setting up motorist assistance stations in strategic locations along its toll roads to aid motorists and provide safe travel, installing temporary toll collection booths to speed up transaction time at the toll plazas.

The operator is likewise suspending all road works throughout the period.

In partnership with Petron Lakbay Alalay, it is setting up Motorist Assistance Stations to provide free mechanic trouble shooting services and vehicle check-ups at the TPLEX – Petron KM 134 Northbound and Southbound and at the TPLEX Toll Operations Compound Northbound; Skyway – C5 and Merville Southbound, Sucat Lay-by Northbound.

They will also have Motorist Assistance Stations at SLEX – Binan Lay-by Southbound and SLEX Operations Control Center Northbound; and STAR – Petron Malvar Southbound and Malainin Lay-by KM 92 Southbound, Petron Lipa Northbound and Lapu-Lapu Layby KM 90 Northbound.

SMC Tollways expect heavy traffic volume at TPLEX Northbound from March 28, 29 to 31 and at the Tarlac Central Toll Plaza, Urdaneta Toll Plaza, Urdaneta-MacArthur T-intersection, Binalonan Toll Plaza, and Pozorrubio Toll Plaza TPLEX Southbound from April 1 to 2.

Traffic will also be heavy at the Tarlac Central Toll Plaza, Urdaneta Toll Plaza, Urdaneta-MacArthur T-intersection, Binalonan Toll Plaza, and Pozorrubio Toll Plaza as well as at the Skyway Southbound, from March 28, 29, 31.

The same is true on C5- Alabang At-Grade Skyway Northbound from April 1-2, for Alabang Viaduct to Skyway Toll Plaza B and Runway Toll Plaza NAIAX Westbound from March 28 to 29 and NAIAX Main Toll Plaza B, NAIAX Eastbound from April 1 to 2.

NAIAX Main Toll Plaza A, SLEX Southbound will also have heavy traffic from March 28, 29 to 31: Calamba Toll Plaza, Carmona, Mamplasan Sta. Rosa, Eton-ABI Exits and Ayala Toll Plaza SLEX Northbound, from April 1 to 2.

For Calamba Toll Plaza, Exits in Carmona, Filinvest, Alabang Viaduct and Ayala Toll Plaza STAR Tollway Southbound, heavy traffic is expected from March 28, 29 to 31.

In Sto. Tomas Toll Plaza, Lipa Toll Plaza, Ibaan, Balagtas Toll Plaza Exit, and the Batangas Roundabout STAR Tollway Northbound, traffic will be heavy from April 1 to 2.