SCTEx records 50,000 vehicles on Holy Week
CLARK FREEPORT -- More than 50,000 vehicles traveled along the P22.5 billion Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) during the Holy Week dry run on the Subic-Clark segment of the new toll road, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
SCTEx program manager Robert Gervacio said the Tollways Management Corporation (TMC) recorded that about 50,130 vehicles entered SCTEx from March 19 to 24.
This, Gervacio said, is a validation of BCDA projections that there is an urgent need for a direct and faster route between the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales and the Clark Freeport in Pampanga.
"The huge volume (of vehicles) is a welcome surprise for us. It affirms the Arroyo administration's long-term vision of building a world-class toll road to connect the two most important economic zones in Central Luzon to create an international logistics and services hub in the Central Luzon region," he said.
The free SCTEx dry run, dubbed "Handog ni Pangulong Gloria, Libreng Biyahe sa SCTEx," was ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as her gift to Holy Week travelers shortly after she formerly opened the 50.5 kilometer Subic-Clark segment on March 18.
The dry run, which concluded on March 24, allowed only Class 1 vehicles (cars and vans) as well as chartered and tourist buses and motorcycles with engines 400cc or higher to use the Subic-Clark portion of the expressway from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. only.
The TMC, the designated interim operator of the SCTEx, reported that average travel time between Subic and Clark was only 40 minutes during the dry run.
Before, travel between the two points using the old provincial road takes more than an hour.
Charly Espanola, TMC division head for the SCTEx, said vehicles entering the SCTEx peaked during the Holy Week holidays from Holy Thursday up to Easter.
He noted that on Day One of the dry run, only 2,356 vehicles utilized the new expressway.
The TMC, which also operates North Luzon Expressway (Nlex), deployed patrol vehicles, service crews and other Nlex staff members to ensure adequate assistance to motorists during the SCTEx dry run.
Emergency medical services, towing crew, and roadside repair technicians were also dispatched in the freeway during its soft opening.
Gervacio said the number of vehicles that used the new toll road also reflected BCDA projections of considerable holiday traffic along the Subic-Clark segment.
"It offers faster, more convenient travel to Subic and Clark. The SCTEx is directly linked to Nlex via a two-kilometer spur road and interchange between the Dau and Sta. Ines exits (Mabalacat Spur Road)," he said.
"The entire 93.7-kilometer stretch of the SCTEx from Subic to Tarlac is expected to be fully operational by the end of April this year," he added. By Reynaldo G. Navales - Sun Star
SCTEx program manager Robert Gervacio said the Tollways Management Corporation (TMC) recorded that about 50,130 vehicles entered SCTEx from March 19 to 24.
This, Gervacio said, is a validation of BCDA projections that there is an urgent need for a direct and faster route between the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales and the Clark Freeport in Pampanga.
"The huge volume (of vehicles) is a welcome surprise for us. It affirms the Arroyo administration's long-term vision of building a world-class toll road to connect the two most important economic zones in Central Luzon to create an international logistics and services hub in the Central Luzon region," he said.
The free SCTEx dry run, dubbed "Handog ni Pangulong Gloria, Libreng Biyahe sa SCTEx," was ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as her gift to Holy Week travelers shortly after she formerly opened the 50.5 kilometer Subic-Clark segment on March 18.
The dry run, which concluded on March 24, allowed only Class 1 vehicles (cars and vans) as well as chartered and tourist buses and motorcycles with engines 400cc or higher to use the Subic-Clark portion of the expressway from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. only.
The TMC, the designated interim operator of the SCTEx, reported that average travel time between Subic and Clark was only 40 minutes during the dry run.
Before, travel between the two points using the old provincial road takes more than an hour.
Charly Espanola, TMC division head for the SCTEx, said vehicles entering the SCTEx peaked during the Holy Week holidays from Holy Thursday up to Easter.
He noted that on Day One of the dry run, only 2,356 vehicles utilized the new expressway.
The TMC, which also operates North Luzon Expressway (Nlex), deployed patrol vehicles, service crews and other Nlex staff members to ensure adequate assistance to motorists during the SCTEx dry run.
Emergency medical services, towing crew, and roadside repair technicians were also dispatched in the freeway during its soft opening.
Gervacio said the number of vehicles that used the new toll road also reflected BCDA projections of considerable holiday traffic along the Subic-Clark segment.
"It offers faster, more convenient travel to Subic and Clark. The SCTEx is directly linked to Nlex via a two-kilometer spur road and interchange between the Dau and Sta. Ines exits (Mabalacat Spur Road)," he said.
"The entire 93.7-kilometer stretch of the SCTEx from Subic to Tarlac is expected to be fully operational by the end of April this year," he added. By Reynaldo G. Navales - Sun Star
Labels: sctex, subic clark expressway
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