Toll operators warned of EDSA-like traffic

FUTURE CONGESTION. The TRB says major toll roads may be like EDSA by 2018.

MANILA, Philippines - The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) directed operators of major toll roads to prepare expansion programs to prevent EDSA-like congestion in major expressways north and south of Metro Manila.

TRB executive director Edmundo Reyes Jr. told reporters that his agency directed operators of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), and the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) to prepare for high traffic volume by 2018. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) operates NLEx and Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. owns a stake in the company that holds the SLEx concession.

“If we don’t do anything, by 2018 certain stretches of NLEx and SLEx will be like EDSA. Cars keep adding every year and we will need additional lanes, also space at the exits, also toll plazas and tellers, structures, road widening,” he said.

“We ordered them to begin studying already their expansion plans. They still have right-of-way and room to expand. If just widening, there will be bottlenecks at the toll plazas.”

Reyes added that the government expects traffic volume on the toll roads to increase by 2% per year over the next 5 years. He attributed this to "population growth, growing economy (and) better demographics."

Reyes said that there are 6 applications for toll fee adjustments pending before the TRB. He said that the agency is reviewing the applications. However, he said there would be no toll fee increases before Holy Week.

The toll fee applications are for NLEx, SLEs, Cavitex, the Metro Manila Skyway, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (Star). - Rappler.com