MANILA — North Luzon Expressway Corp. expects the volume of vehicles passing through the toll road this holy week season to reach 385,000 a day, up from its daily average of 350,000.

Like every year, NLEX Traffic Management Head Robin Ignacio said the busiest time would be the afternoon of Holy Wednesday until the afternoon of Maundy Thursday.

To help manage the flow of vehicles, Ignacio said all lanes will be open 24/7, there will be increased deployment of traffic personnel, and all road repairs will be suspended except in cases of emergencies.

Ignacio also said that a counterflow scheme will be implemented in areas where heavy traffic congestion is usually observed starting at 2 p.m. on April 16, Holy Wednesday.

NLEX Marilao northbound lanes fully reopen

“Kukunin po yung lanes from southbound for northbound traffic. Itong area right after Balintawak Toll Plaza, tuloy-tuloy po yan hanggang before Bocaue. And then yung pangalawang area naman is from San Fernando, another one from Balagtas area,” said Ignacio.

(Some lanes on the southbound lane will be used for northbound traffic. The area from Balintawak Toll Plaza up to Bocaue. And then a second area is from San Fernando, another one from Balagtas)

He said NLEX Corp. used to only put up the counterflow lanes when it monitors heavy traffic.

"Pero this time, proactive na po kami (This time, we are being proactive about it)," he added.

He noted that zipper lanes will also be opened on the northbound lane once motorists start returning to Metro Manila after the Holy Week break.