The MMDA advised motorists and commuters who have to pass through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) this weekend may have to take alternate routes to avoid the members of the INC who will flock to Bulacan during the centennial celebration of the religious group this coming Sunday, July 27, 2014.
According to NLEX and MMDA they are expecting more than 82,000 vehicles translated to at least a million people, to flock to the centennial event. The MMDA already conducted an aerial survey of the Philippine Arena at Ciudad de Victoria, the place of the centennial activity will take place.
The centerpiece of Ciudad de Victoria, the Philippine Arena, now considered as the world’s largest indoor arena, has a capacity of 55,000 and the entire area including the whole Ciudad de Victoria could accommodate more than three million pilgrims. The MMDA already imposed a truck ban in NLEX during the Centennial celebration.
The MMDA and NLEX already gave the Alternate Routes for the regular commuters and motorists of NLEX during the weekend.
Alternate Routes:
- Mindanao Avenue instead of Balintawak Toll Plaza
- Smaller exits at NLEX
- LTFRB noted that motorists can pass the inner and secondary roads in Bulacan and Valenzuela City
- Secondary and inner roads of Malolos, Calumpit, Bocaue, Meycauayan, Marilao, Sta. Maria, Norzagaray, and Valenzuela City
- Sta. Maria Tungkong Manga Road instead of Sta. Maria Bypass, Old Cagayan Valley Road.
Other Alternate Routes:
- Delegates coming from the north going to the Philippine Arena turn at the Smart Connect Interchange (Mindanao Avenue Link Interchange).
- Those leaving the Philippine Arena and are Manila-bound may turn at the Tabang or Balagtas Interchanges at the designated U-Turn slots just after the Toll Plaza exits.
Parking, Tow-Away Areas:
- Parking areas will be at local roads near the Philippine Arena while critical areas at NLEX especially from Meycauayan to Bocaue northbound will be declared tow-away zones during the Centennial event.
- Road works at NLEX were suspended since July 16, 2014, “unless safety repair is required,” it will resume on August 4, 2014.