Motorists ask to take caution along expressways as storm Kristine batters Luzon

SMC Infrastructure is asking motorists to be on the alert and drive carefully along certain portions of its tollways as heavy rains battered Luzon Thursday afternoon, causing intermittent flooding at its southern expressways even as they remained passable.

The company said its toll network — the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, the Skyway System, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) — continued to operate normally but with traffic slowing down at some flooded areas.

The expressways remained passable as of 5:00 p.m.

Flooding was reported near the Alabang area at the height of heavy rains dumped by tropical storm Kristine that began around 1 p.m. The company’s prepositioned pumps were quick to clear up the area of water and was flood-free by 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, the area near Alaska in San Pedro, Laguna, previously known to be flood-prone, also remained clear.

A portion of the SLEX carriageway at Kilometer 46 near Sitio Mapagong, Calamba, Laguna, was inundated due to continuous heavy rains, with motorists using only one lane. But with a backhoe prepositioned in the area for clearing operations, water subsided quickly and restored the use of four lanes.

Flooding was also reported at the northbound carriageway of STAR Tollway in Tanauan, Batangas and another area in Malvar, also in Batangas at 2:30 p.m., but both areas remained passable.

Notably, rains during the first 48 hours since Kristine’s onslaught did not cause any flooding along the company’s toll network.

SMC Infrastructure said situations may change at any time as Kristine transits Luzon and asked motorists to minimize non-essential travel for their safety.

“Since the onset of Tropical Storm Kristine, our teams have observed isolated rain along our expressway network at different times, and water immediately flowed out of the carriageway through our drainage system,” SMC chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said. “In the previous months, we have instructed our maintenance teams to ensure our outfalls are clear of any debris and garbage so that any amount of rainwater can drain fast.”

Aside from clearing drainage systems, Ang said the company’s larger river cleanup initiative has also contributed significantly to increasing the carrying capacity of the San Isidro River in San Pedro City, Laguna, where a significant portion of floodwaters from SLEX drains.

This river cleanup program, called “Better Rivers Ph,” has removed nearly 8 million cubic meters of garbage and silt from over 132 kilometers of waterways since 2020. This helps reduce flood risk in nearby cities and towns.

At present, the river cleanup teams are focusing on the Pampanga River, waterways in Biñan City, Laguna, Navotas City, and around the NAIA area.

SMC reminds everyone to dispose of their garbage properly, as it often clogs drains and waterways, leading to flooding.

Motorists needing assistance along SMC expressways may call the following hotlines:

SLEX Hotline: 09176877539

TPLEX Hotline: 09178880715

STAR Hotlines: 09175117827 / 043-7567870

Skyway Hotline: 02-53188655