World · Philippines Bureau
NLEx traffic returns to normal after devastating eight-hour gridlock
Motorists traveling the flood-affected sections of the North Luzon Expressway faced only brief delays on Friday, marking a dramatic recovery from an earlier traffic crisis that left drivers stranded for hours. The improvement underscores ongoing restoration efforts on the vital transport corridor.
LSN Philippines ·
PULILAN, BULACAN — Traffic conditions on flood-damaged portions of the North Luzon Expressway have substantially improved, with motorists now experiencing only around 11 minutes of congestion in affected areas of Pampanga, according to NLEx Corp. officials on Friday.
The recovery represents a marked turnaround from August 29, when severe flooding triggered a major traffic crisis that immobilized drivers for nearly eight hours across the expressway's vulnerable sections. The extended gridlock had disrupted commerce and stranded thousands of commuters on the critical north-south transport route.
NLEx Corp. attributed the normalizing conditions to ongoing clearance and repair operations along the flood-hit stretches. The corporation did not provide a specific timeline for complete restoration of normal traffic flow or details regarding the extent of infrastructure damage from the flooding.
The expressway remains a crucial economic artery for the Philippines, linking Metro Manila to the Northern Luzon region and serving as a vital corridor for commercial and passenger traffic. Officials have not announced whether additional measures will be implemented to prevent similar disruptions during future weather events.