NLEX delays Marilao bridge repair until March 31

The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation announced that repairs to the Marilao Interchange Bridge will take until March 31 following an accident involving a trailer truck exceeding vertical clearance.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged concerned agencies on Saturday to immediately repair the damaged bridge, emphasizing the urgency due to approaching Holy Week and anticipated traffic.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon previously demanded that NLEX suspend toll collection in its Marilao segment during the repair period and complete repairs within one week instead of the stated timeline.

Senior manager Robin Ignacio reported on Thursday, March 20, that rush hour traffic has extended up to seven to eight kilometers in Valenzuela, adding about 40 to 45 minutes to travel time.

Motorists are advised to take alternate routes: from Bulacan/Pampanga to Manila, drivers should exit at Bocaue Southbound or CDV Southbound, turn right onto MacArthur Highway and re-enter via Meycauayan Southbound. For those heading to Bulacan/Pampanga, the recommended route is through the Karuhatan Exit.

NLEX Traffic Management Head Robin Ignacio said that shoring was completed by 11:00 p.m. on March 21, allowing three lanes to be used and a zipper lane opened in the southbound lane to ease congestion.