NLEX Corp. said it expects to complete the rehabilitation of  Candaba Viaduct, the decades-old elevated highway connecting Pulilan, Bulacan, and Apalit, Pampanga by December this year.

Consisting of two 5-km.-long independent bridges, the Candaba Viaduct will undergo major rehabilitation along the Manila-bound carriageway that will last until December 2020 to improve road safety and address the long-term serviceability of the structure. This is the first of a series of upgrades slated for the viaduct.

“The Candaba Viaduct has served the Metro Manila, and Central and North Luzon road corridor for many years. We enjoin public support and understanding for the travel delays that may be caused by the upgrading,” J. Luigi L. Bautista, NLEX president and general manager said.

“However, when completed, we are optimistic that these improvements will further boost safety and provide better driving experience to our customers,” he added. 

The works will require Manila-bound motorists to slow down and utilize a temporary 31-meter fabricated steel Bailey bridge that will be installed to allow cars, vans, small trucks, and buses to cross over the link slab construction site.  

Cargo trucks will be rerouted to the counterflow lane at the northbound carriageway. The installation and dismantling of the Bailey bridge would require lane closures at certain times.

To improve safety while construction is underway, NLEX will temporarily reroute heavy 12-wheeler dump trucks from areas north of the viaduct to MacArthur Highway. These 12-wheelers may re-enter NLEX southbound via Pulilan, Sta. Rita or Tabang.

In line with this, Bulacan mayors assure to help manage the traffic on their local roads.

To ensure smooth traffic within the repair site, NLEX will deploy patrol crews and traffic marshals and minimize traffic slowdowns.

Directional traffic signs will also be placed at strategic locations to better guide the public. Traffic updates will be posted on electronic variable message signs and announced via social media accounts.