NLEX Corporation said it will reopen the SCTEX Pasig Potrero bridge to all vehicle classes on Friday, 29 September, its rehabilitation works already completed.
“Travel will again be more convenient and seamless as this will alleviate traffic for motorists coming from Clark to Subic, and vice versa,” said NLEX president J. Luigi L. Bautista.
Bautista reassured the public that while the bridge is reopened, the company will continue the rehabilitation works to further strengthen the bridge.
It will be recalled that in mid-July, the concessionaire and operator of SCTEX closed the bridge to all vehicles to do an emergency safety inspection and assessment amid constant heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon and typhoon Dodong.
After a thorough assessment by a third party bridge expert, it was decided that closure was necessary while repairs works were ongoing. This wa to ensure the safety of motorists as the heavy rains and strong river flow affected certain portions of the bridge.
The tollway company immediately proceeded with the emergency substructure strengthening works, but due to the unpredictable weather and the high water level in the area, the team had difficulty in facilitating the safety work.
“It was very challenging whenever heavy rain starts to pour. As much as we wanted to expedite the works, the river flow and high water level in the area made it difficult for the team to proceed,” Bautista said.
After another safety assessment, the bridge was reopened on 7 August to Class 1 vehicles while the strengthening works continued under the bridge.
NLEX, together with Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the owner of SCTEX, will continue to relentlessly look for innovative ways to boost the safety and convenience of motorists traversing the entire 94-kilometer road.
The tollway company has been investing in various enhancement projects to upgrade the travel experience of every SCTEX motorist.
These include the upgrading of roadway lights and signages, maintenance and improvement works for several toll plazas, pavement replacement and crack sealing, guardrail and fence repairs, RFID system enhancements, toll systems upgrade, Dinalupihan road raising, and the Porac Gumain and San Matias bridges repair and upgrade.
