NLEX waives toll fees from Balintawak to Meycauayan starting March 24
MANILA, Philippines – Motorists passing through northbound part of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from Balintawak to Meycauayan will not be charged with toll fees beginning Monday, March 24, at 12 pm.
“This relief will remain in effect until all four lanes of the Marilao northbound area are reopened,” NLEX Corporation said on Sunday, March 23.
This comes after Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon called on the NLEX operator to waive toll fees at areas affected by repairs being done on the Marilao interchange bridge.
On March 19, an 18-wheeler truck struck the bridge while passing through, leaving two bridge girders — or the beams underneath that support the bridge — with “severe damage.” The truck driver and its owners are now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and has received a show cause order from the Land Transportation Office.
Dizon said the Toll Regulatory Board has asked the NLEX to explain why regulators shouldn’t impose penalties on the operator for letting the truck pass through.
NLEX said repairs on the bridge could take at least two weeks to complete, hoping that repair work will be done in time for the Holy Week traffic rush.
There are currently three usable northbound lanes. Meanwhile, NLEX has also provided motorists with alternative routes for those going to and from Bulacan to Pampanga.
On Sunday, the operator also announced that there will be temporary closures along NLEX from March 24 to March 27 for pavement marking and patching works.
Here is the schedule:
| Location | Lane | Date and Time |
| Bocaue Northbound (before Bocaue Interchange) | Lane 3 (Middle) | March 24 (9 pm) to March 27 (11:59 pm) |
| San Fernando Northbound (after San Matias River Bridge) | Lane 1 (Leftmost) | March 24 (8 pm) to March 25 (5 am) |
| Bocaue Northbound (after Bocaue Interchange) | Acceleration and deceleration lane | March 25 (9 pm) to March 26 (1 am) |
| Mabalacat Northbound (after Biyabas Overpass) | Lane 1 (Leftmost) | March 26 (9 pm) to March 27 (5 am) |
| Mabalacat Northbound (after Biyabas Overpass) | Lane 1 (Leftmost) | March 26 (9 pm) to March 27 (5 am) |
| Pulilan Northbound (before Candaba Viaduct) | Lane 1 (Leftmost) | March 27 (8 pm) to March 28 (5 am) |
| San Fernando Northbound (after San Matias River Bridge) | Lane 1 (Leftmost) | March 27 (9 pm) to March 28 (5 am) |
| Balagtas Northbound (after Burol Overpass) | Deceleration lane | March 27 (9 pm) to March 28 (1 am) |
| Mexico Southbound (after Akli Overpass) | Lane 2 (Rightmost) | March 24 (9 pm) to March 25 (6am) |
| Balagtas Southbound (Burol lInterchange area) | Lanes 1 and 2 (one at a time) | March 24 (9 am to 12 pm) |
| Balagtas Southbound (Burol lInterchange area) | Lanes 3 and 4 (one at a time) | March 25 (9 am to 12 pm) |
| Pulilan Southbound (after Candaba Viaduct) | Lane 3 (Rightmost) | March 25 (9 pm) to March 26 (5 am) |
| Mexico Southbound (after Railroad Underpass) | Lane 2 (Rightmost) | March 25 (9 pm) to March 26 (6 am) |
| San Fernando Southbound (after San Fernando Interchange) | Lane 3 (Rightmost) | March 26 (10 pm) to March 27 (5 am) |
| San Fernando Southbound (after Sindalan Interchange) | Lane 2 (Middle) | March 26 (9 pm) to March 27 (6 am) |
| Balagtas Southbound (after Burol Interchange) | Lanes 1 and 2 (one at a time) | March 26 (9 am to 12 pm) |
| Balagtas Southbound (after Burol Interchange) | Lanes 3 and 4 (one at a time) | March 27 (9 am to 12 pm) |
| Mexico Southbound (after San Rafael Overpass) | Lane 2 (Rightmost) | March 27 (9 pm) to March 28 (6 am) |
The operator also continues to post traffic updates on its social media pages. – Rappler.com