‘SCTEX structures safe after quake’
Posted 5 years ago
THE North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) were declared safe for motorists despite several pavement cracks observed in the bridge approaches along SCTEX, after the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that affected Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon on April 22.
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NLEX Corp. and its engineering consultant AMH Philippines, said inspection showed no major structural damage in NLEX-SCTEX bridges and slopes, but cracks and deformations on pavements and bridge expansion joints that need immediate repairs.
It was also noted that the bridges performed well and the cracks and deformations were evidently within anticipated range of the design assumptions.
“To ensure the comfort of our motorists, damaged pavements will be replaced and distorted posts as well as bridge expansion joints will be repaired,” said NLEX Corp. President and General Manager Luigi Bautista.
Four bridges in SCTEX Porac — Pasig-Potrero, Babo Pangulo, Planas, and Porac — and two bridges in SCTEX Floridablanca — Caulaman and Gumain — bore pavement cracks, while steel plates and expansion joints became uneven. Some median concrete toppings in the said areas were also broken.
Meanwhile, a few light and sign posts along the Candaba Viaduct and Dau and Sta. Ines interchanges along NLEX had noticeably leaned.
But Bautista said the structures, including the elevated ones, were designed and built in such a way that they do not collapse during an earthquake.
He added the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, the elevated expressway from Karuhatan, Valenzuela City to Caloocan Interchange in C3 (Metro Manila) was earthquake-resistant and could withstand high magnitude quakes.
“Rest assured that our roads adhere to world-class standards as we use top grade materials and undertake regular road condition surveys,” he said.
Source: manilatimes.net
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