Flooding along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in San Simon, Pampanga, caused slow-moving traffic stretching up to 7 kilometers in both directions Monday morning, according to NLEX traffic operations officials.
Robin Ignacio, assistant vice president for Traffic Operations of NLEX Corp., said the traffic buildup was reported as of 8 a.m. near the San Simon area, where portions of the expressway remained flooded.
“Merong slow moving traffic sa may approaching San Simon, Pampanga. May 7 kilometers na slow moving. Ganoon din sa kabilang direksyon,” Ignacio said in an interview with DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan.
Flooding was reported in the Tulaoc area and beneath the San Simon Interchange, where only two of the expressway’s three lanes remained passable.
Ignacio said the innermost lane is being prioritized for Class 1 vehicles, including cars and other light vehicles, while trucks and buses may use the second lane.
The third lane and the area near the side of the expressway were already submerged in deeper water, reaching about 1.5 feet to nearly 2 feet, making them impassable.
Water in the innermost lane was more than 1 foot deep, Ignacio said.
NLEX personnel have installed barriers and sandbags along the expressway to help contain the flooding and allow continuous siphoning of water.
Ignacio said the measures were intended to keep water levels on the expressway lower and maintain a passage for vehicles despite flooding in surrounding areas.
He said traffic queues have lengthened because motorists have limited alternative routes, with flooding also reported in parts of Pampanga and Bulacan.
“Mahahaba ang pagpila ngayon kasi talagang wala silang madaanan sa labas dahil mas grabe ang baha sa probinsya ng Pampanga at Bulacan.”
Northbound traffic was heavier, stretching from the San Simon area toward the approach to the Candaba Viaduct.
Southbound traffic extended from San Simon to the area near the Caltex gasoline station at Kilometer 62.
Ignacio said the water level on the expressway had remained roughly the same since Sunday but noted that floodwaters in areas affected by the rains appeared to be receding.
