CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda is set to bring the issues besetting the repair of the Southbound portion of the Candaba Viaduct along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to the national government.
The governor requested the NLEx Corp. for a status quo on the 33-ton weight limit and the use of alternate routes.
In Friday’s dialogue with the NLEx Corp., the governor wants the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to be involved in determining the appropriate weight limit.
He said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should be involved in setting the prices of commodities resulting from the longer routes and additional cost of fuel.
This came after the NLEx Corp. issued an advisory effective July 11 rerouting trucks with 12 or more wheels and gross vehicle weight (GVW) greater than 33 tons due to the said Candaba Viaduct Southbound Upgrade.
“Bigyan po muna nila ng linaw, hindi po puwedeng walang papasukin na truck sa NLEx, especially trailers, tapos padadaanin nila sa maliliit na daan sa probinsya, it will cause problem sa economy po. Kung magpapatupad po ng kung ano ang dapat na timbang, mas mabuti kung ang mismong national government ang mag-anunsyo para alam ng lahat na tataas ang presyo ng goods,” said the governor.
He furthered that the corporation should also impose the 33 tons limit of the GVW in the whole stretch of NLEx, not only along the Candaba Viaduct.
JJ Go, vice president of the NLEx Corp. Asset Management Division, stressed that many motorists would be affected if the Candaba Viaduct connecting Bulacan to Pampanga, and Pampanga to Bulacan and National Capital Region (NCR) is not protected.
“Lahat ng pasok from zero to thirty-three tons, puwedeng-puwede naman pong dumaan at kakayanin naman ng Southbound. Except kapag excessive na or beyond thirty-three tons, do’n lang po tayo magda-divert para maiwasan ang pagkagiba ng daan at masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga motorista,” she said.
She added the corporation should immediately implement the imposition of the weight limit of vehicles traversing along the viaduct to be able to complete the repair within two years.
Initially, the corporation provided two (2) alternative routes for heavy trucks that do not meet the guidelines.
Trucks traveling from the cities of Angeles and San Fernando shall take the Olongapo-Gapan Rd., which passes through Mexico, Sta Ana, Arayat, Cabiao, San Isidro, and Gapan, Nueva Ecija. They shall turn right out of Gapan onto the Maharlika Highway, passing through San Miguel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael. They shall then turn left onto Plaridel Bypass Rd. and enter NLEx at the Balagtas Interchange.
Trucks from Mabalacat City, on the other hand, shall use the Mabalacat-Magalang Rd. They shall turn right out of Magalang onto the Magalang-Arayat Rd. They shall take the Olongapo-Gapan Rd. from Arayat to Cabiao, San Isidro, and Gapan. They shall turn right out of Gapan onto the Maharlika Highway, passing through San Miguel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael. They shall then turn left onto Plaridel Bypass Rd.
It was also disclosed during the meeting that the NLEx Corp. is set to construct a third viaduct in between the Northbound and Soundbound portions of the Candaba Viaduct, expected to be completed in 2024.
Rene Romero, private sector representative in the Regional Development Council (RDC), recommended the construction of a third road below the viaduct.
Haulers urged the strict implementation of the anti-overloading law. –Jasmine Jaso/Pampanga PIO
