NLEX Corporation on Thursday started preliminary works to elevate a 200-meter section of the tollway in San Simon, Pampanga addressing chronic flooding in the area.
“The goal is to enhance safety, accessibility, and mobility of motorists especially during the rainy season. We aim to complete the project as soon as possible with minimal disruption to the motorists,” NLEX president J. Luigi. Bautista said.
The work includes the completion of the pavement raising both the north and south bounds of the tollway under the Tulaoc overpass by 0.7 meters as well as the flood walls with sump pits and sump pumps to manage flood waters and avoid another incident in the area.
NLEX Corp. will also raise the pavement of the San Simon ramp and improve its drainage system.
The rain-induced flooding in Central and North Luzon in prior weeks affected a hundred-meter portion of NLEX San Simon, causing up to 68 centimeter deep floods in the area. The volume of vehicles avoiding the flood piled up and caused heavy traffic in the expressway.
“The problem is the flood level outside the NLEX flowed towards the lowest area of NLEX in San Simon. We have asked the DPWH to raise the Tulaoc overpass so we can also elevate this portion of the expressway,” Bautista said.
In a situation briefing with local government officials of Pampanga, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. backed the raising of the overpass and noted the flooding was caused by heavy and sustained rains brought about by typhoons Egay and Falcon.
“We are very grateful for the support of the President. His go signal to raise the Tulaoc overpass will definitely help fast track our San Simon road raising project,” Bautista said.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan also committed to raise the Tulaoc overpass. Once done, NLEX plans adding another 0.3m on the pavement, raising the 200-meter portion of NLEX San Simon by a total of 1 meter.
During the same briefing, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation President Rogelio L. Singson suggested the building of a water impounding facility in Candaba as a long-term solution to prevent flooding in nearby and low-laying areas of Pampanga.
The safety and convenience of motorists remain the top priority of NLEX as it sustained implementing projects securing their welfare and enhance their travel experience, weather conditions notwithstanding.
NLEX has built various flood prevention projects in the past to avoid hindered travel in the expressway. These include several drainage enhancement projects in flood prone areas at the NLEX Harbor Link, Balintawak, Meycauayan, Valenzuela, San Simon, Dau, Porac, Floridablanca, and Tipo; and the installation of sump-pits and pump houses at the Balintawak and Valenzuela Interchanges to prevent water buildup in the area.
Last year, NLEX completed the road raising of a 640-meter portion of SCTEX in Bataan.
