No toll suspension on NLEx despite bridge accident, heavy traffic
MARILAO, BULACAN—Toll collection along the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) remains in place despite more than two hours of traffic congestion on Wednesday caused by an accident involving an 18-wheel cargo truck that struck the bottom portion of the Marilao Bridge.
The impact dislodged one of the bridge’s beams, which fell onto a passing vehicle, killing one of its passengers.
In a statement on Thursday, NLEx Corp. acknowledged the remarks made by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon regarding the “unfortunate incident” involving the truck and the AUV underneath the Marilao Bridge around noon.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), in a notice, directed NLEx Corp. “to suspend toll collection on the affected segment in the Marilao area should there be sustained heavy traffic congestion and until the damaged infrastructure has been fully restored and certified as safe by government safety inspectors.
“This directive shall remain in force until public convenience, safety and normal traffic flow are satisfactorily restored,” the DOTr notice showed.
However, NLEx Corp. maintained that the situation did not require a toll suspension. “There was no heavy traffic congestion that took place as a result of the incident,” the company said.
According to NLEx Corp., traffic in the affected northbound section had normalized before 3 p.m., a little over two hours after the accident at noon.
Still, motorists reported delays, like Marlon Camacho, a businessman from Cabanatuan City traveling from Makati City to Malolos, who said he was stuck in traffic for over an hour between the crash site and the Bocaue toll plaza, a stretch that normally takes just five minutes to navigate.
Investigation
Saying the safety and well-being of motorists is its “top priority,” NLEx Corp. said it was cooperating fully with the DOTr, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and the Philippine National Police “to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident.”
“Notwithstanding our continuing apprehension of vehicles that violate height limits, there are still vehicles that recklessly ignore the numerous signs that clearly indicate the bridge’s height limit,” the toll operator said.
NLEx Corp. reiterated the importance of compliance with traffic rules, noting that, “It is a shared responsibility to protect lives, prevent accidents and ensure that public infrastructure remains safe and functional.”
Marilao Bridge, which has a vertical clearance of only 4.27 meters, was also damaged in March by a similarly oversized truck, prompting the closure of several lanes for two weeks for repairs.
At the time, NLEx Corp. suspended toll collection at Balintawak and other northbound entry points until the restoration was completed.
Bulacan Vice Gov. Alexis Castro, in a video message on Thursday, said reports reached his office that the truck involved in Wednesday’s incident bypassed the Balintawak toll plaza, where inspections are more stringent, and instead entered via Meycauayan.
