Vehicles pass through the Balintawak tollway along the North Luzon Expressway in Caloocan City on October 22, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The North Luzon Expressway Corp. has decided to implement temporary toll relief in its Marilao segment amid the rehabilitation of a bridge damaged by a road mishap.

"In response to the call of the Department of Transportation (Dotr) the NLEX Corp. will implement temporary toll relief on the northbound portion of the expressway from Balintawak to Meycauayan starting March 24, 2025 at 12 noon," the NLEX Corp. said in a statement.

"This relief will remain in effect until all four lanes of the Marilao northbound area are reopened."

Transport chief wants NLEX to suspend toll collection in Marilao area over traffic mess 

The Marilao Bridge sustained severe damage from a truck violating regulations.

The truck, which was 4.9 meters, high rammed into the structure which only has a vertical clearance of 4.25 meters. This resulted to a standstill traffic in the area with only two lanes available for motorists in the northbound lane. 

"We ask for the motoring public's patience and understanding as we fast track repairs and work to restore normal traffic flow as soon as possible," it added.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon earlier demanded that the NLEX Corp. suspend its toll collection in its Marilao segment to address the traffic woes caused by the accident.

"I am demanding from NLEX na habang ginagawa ito at naaberya ang mga kababayan natin, para doon sa area segment na may aberya, ilibre muna nila ang toll, walang babayaran ang mga kababayn natin habang ginagawa nila 'to," he said.

Repair of Marilao Interchange Bridge to take 2-3 weeks 

"They owe it to the public na huwag muna sila maningil," he said. 

Dizon added that the repair of the bridge should take only one week, instead of the original 2 to 3 weeks reported by authorities.