Truckers seek long-term clearance fix

The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) is urging the government to consider long-term solutions such as raising bridge heights or road scraping to address ongoing clearance issues after another truck hit an overpass along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) last week.

CTAP President Mary Zapata said in a statement on Monday that the group had already raised the concern with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), but said cost remains a challenge.

“The good thing is, Secretary Vince Dizon acknowledged the problem. We have been saying that a good solution would be road scraping, or if the bridge were to be elevated. His answer was that it would be a big task. The budget might triple, or even quadruple. He said that we may not be able to push through during our lifetime,” Zapata said.

“It will be good to have a TWG, sit down on it, and think about the needed solutions, whether a memorandum circular, amendments, or moratoriums which will need to be finalized,” she added.

Zapata said the issue goes beyond NLEX as it also affects areas like Abad Santos in Manila and the South Luzon Expressway. 

She noted that many bridges no longer meet the required vertical clearance for trucks, forcing drivers to take longer routes to avoid accidents.

In a separate statement, NLEX Corp. said it completed major repairs on the Marilao Bridge, which was damaged after a truck hit the underside of the overpass. All four northbound lanes were reopened to motorists as of midnight on 23 June. 

The company said it expedited the repairs and thanked the public for their patience, adding it remains committed to improving safety and traffic management along the expressway.