LGUs, biz groups support NLEX Candaba Viaduct upgrading projects

ANGELES CI TY--Publ i c and private sectors in the North and Central Luzon regions have expressed their full support for the ongoing upgrading of the NLEX Candaba Viaduct.

The Candaba viaduct is a decades-old elevated highway connecting Pulilan, Bulacan, and Apalit, Pampanga.

Consisting of two 5kilometer-long independent bridges, the Candaba Viaduct will undergo major rehabilitation along the Manilabound carriageway that will last until December 2020 to improve road safety and address the long-term serviceability of the structure. This is the first of a series of upgrades slated for the viaduct.

Banking on infrastructure improvement and modernization to boost economic development, the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) backs the project aimed at helping revive the region’s economy while also ensuring public safety.

“To preserve the vital function of the Viaduct as a critical link between the National Capital Region and the North and Central Luzon areas, upgrading and rehabilitation works are needed. We extend our support for transport infrastructure programs that will uphold and ensure the safe, unhampered, and on-time delivery of critical goods and services nationwide,” PamCham Pr esi d en t Ren at o Romero said.

During a dialogue conducted at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in the City of San Fernando among NLEX Corporation officers, Pampangabased trucking groups and other stakeholders, Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda regarded the project as a welcome progress in the province, stating that “the Pampanga provincial government is supporting the Candaba Viaduct upgrade because this will bring greater development to us.”

Sharing the same view, Apalit, Pampanga Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. said, “Napapanahon na po ang rehabilitasyon ng viaduct kaya sinusuportahan natin ang NLEX sa hakbang na ito.”

Meanwhile, Pulilan, Bulacan Mayor Maritz Ochoa-Montejo underscored the importance of upgrading the bridge, “Ang rehabilitation na ito ay ipinagpapatuloy nila upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng bawat isang motorista,” she sai d.

Potential traffic congestion and queues are expected during peak hours as some Manilabound lanes will be constricted during the replacement of several concrete link slabs along various sections of the Viaduct. These concrete components that typically connect two bridge deck spans will be replaced to restore motorist driving comfort.

“The Candaba Viaduct has served the Metro Manila, and Central and North Luzon road corridor for many years. We enjoin public support and understanding for the travel delays that may be caused by the upgrading. However, when completed, we are optimistic that these improvements will further boost safety and provide better driving experience to our customers,” NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista said.

The works will require Manila-bound motorists to slow down and utilize a temporary 31-meter fabricated steel Bailey bridge that will be installed to allow cars, vans, small trucks, and buses to cross over the link slab construction site. Cargo trucks will be rerouted to the counterflow lane at the northbound carriageway. The installation and dismantling of the Bailey bridge would require lane closures at certain times.