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Trucks with 12 wheels or more carrying empty containers may pass the southbound portion of the Candaba viaduct after inspection
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Loaded 12-wheelers or more remain prohibited from plying the Candaba Viaduct southbound and will be diverted
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Trucks with 10 wheels or below may be allowed entry but subject to weighing
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Truckers said the new policy increases their travel time and costs as they have to take alternate routes
Trucks with 12 wheels or more carrying empty containers may pass the southbound portion of the Candaba viaduct after inspection, tollway operator NLEX Corp. said. Loaded trucks with 12 wheels or more remain prohibited on the route and will be diverted.
Twelve-wheeler trucks with empties may enter the Candaba viaduct southbound via San Simon to Sta. Ines, including Mabiga interchange in Subic, Clark, Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), subject to visual inspection/confirmation by NLEX personnel.
Once confirmed, a stub will be issued to the driver for presentation to the San Simon mainline checkpoint, NLEX Corp. Asset Management Division vice president Jennifer Jane Go told Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) president Maria Zapata in a letter dated August 12.
Trucks with 10 wheels or below are allowed entry but subject to weighing. They must pass both the axle weight and maximum allowable gross weight limits to be allowed entry. Those that fail the weight regulation will be issued a citation ticket and ordered to turn around.
Since August 1, all vehicles weighing 33 tons or 12-wheelers and up are temporarily barred from passing the southbound portion of the Candaba Viaduct, now undergoing emergency repair.
Vehicles that weigh less than 33 tons (10-wheeler and below) may pass the viaduct. The northbound portion of the viaduct, meanwhile, is not affected by the policy.
NLEX Corp., which operates North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) where Candaba Viaduct is located, earlier said trucks with 12 wheels and more will be rerouted during the urgent major safety upgrade of the southbound portion of the Candaba Viaduct.
READ: Vehicles 33 tons and up barred from southbound Candaba viaduct
NLEX Corp said inspection of the viaduct by its engineering consultant, AMH Philippines, showed the southbound portion is adversely affected by heavy loads and that the issue must be addressed to ensure safety and long-term serviceability of the viaduct.
The tollway company also sees rerouting of trucks with 12 wheels and more as one of the immediate solutions to preserve the infrastructure while it conducts the safety upgrade.
NLEX Corp earlier said it is expediting construction of a third viaduct, for completion by the fourth quarter of 2024.
NLEX Corp has obtained Department of Public Works and Highways commitment to complete the upgrading works along MacArthur Highway in Apalit, Pampanga in three months so it can be used as a diversion route.
For the time being, the toll operator said the next viable alternate route is through Olongapo-Gapan road to Gapan, Nueva Ecija, then through Daang Maharlika and Plaridel Bypass Road.
Truckers said the new policy increases their travel time as they have to take alternate routes. Moreover, some local government units with jurisdiction on alternate routes have imposed truck bans in response to diversion of trucks to their area.
Inland Haulers and Truckers Association president Teodorico Gervacio earlier told PortCalls the longer travel time increases their costs, especially at a time when diesel prices are higher. He said this means they will have to ask higher fees from clients.
He said they have earlier asked NLEX Corp to allow trucks with 12 wheels and up to pass subject to weighing, saying some trucks with these specifications carrying 20-footers weigh less than 33 tons.
For other parts of NLEX, the weight limits under Republic Act No. 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Act remain in effect. – Roumina Pablo
