After it completed the upgrade of the southbound portion of the Candaba Viaduct in May last year, the NLEX Corporation is set to start the upgrading of the northbound portion of the bridge this coming February 2022. This initiative is part of the tollway company’s program to strengthen its infrastructure for safer travel of motorists.
For about six months, 13 priority link slabs that connect bridge deck spans will be replaced to provide a comfortable driving experience to motorists traversing this vital five-kilometer road network between Pampanga and Bulacan.
“We always ensure to maintain our assets for the benefit of thousands of motorists plying our expressway. Whether it is above the bridge or under the bridge, we keep on doing the upgrades for the Candaba Viaduct as we want motorists to continue having safe and comfortable travel,” said J. Luigi L. Bautista, president and general manager of NLEX Corporation.
The upgrades for the Candaba Viaduct have been in place since 2019 as part of the four-year rehabilitation plan that aims to enhance its efficiency and safety. Last year, the tollway firm completed the link slab upgrade of the southbound segment which has since improved safety and long-term serviceability of the structure.
Just like the previous southbound link slab upgrade, works on the northbound will require motorists to pass with care as a temporary steel Bailey bridge will be installed so cars, vans, small trucks, and buses will be able to cross over the repair site. Also, a counterflow lane at the southbound carriageway will be open for the said vehicles and cargo trucks.
Proper traffic management that includes the deployment of patrol officers and marshals and installation of directional traffic signs will be in place all the time to guide motorists. Traffic updates will also be available on the company’s various social media channels.
The Candaba Viaduct has been a reliable link between Metro Manila and North and Central Luzon. Several engineering studies have been done and major repairs and maintenance works have been implemented to maximize its capacity and retain its good condition.
In 2017, NLEX constructed emergency bays in both the northbound and southbound directions of the bridge and upgraded it to three lanes using the shoulders as third lanes. This year, the company is also looking into constructing a third bridge to further improve mobility in and out of the Viaduct.
