TRB open on study to increase speed limit in expressways

Under the proposal, buses and other large vehicles will have a new speed limit of 120 kph from 80 kph while other vehicles will be limited to 140 kph from 100 kph. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is willing to discuss and study a lawmaker’s proposal to increase the speed limit to 140 kilometers per hour (kph) in expressways.

In a Laging Handa briefing, TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz said the conditions of expressways would be studied to see whether it is possible for such an increase.

Corpuz noted that proposed House Bill No. 4089 filed by Ilocos 1st District Representative Ronald Singson on May 18, includes a provision allowing the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to set the safe speed limit on certain sections of an expressway, especially on narrow or winding portions.

“Kaya nga po kami’y buong pagsisikap na makapagbigay ng ating mga observations and comments during the deliberation of this bill at nang maisama po ang ating mga input diyan nang sa ganoon ay mabigyan natin ng—bagama’t mabilis subalit dapat ligtas na paglalakbay ang ating mga motorista (That’s why we’re really working to give our observations and comments during the deliberation of this bill so that they can consider our inputs to provide a faster but safe journey of motorists),” he said.

Under the proposal, buses and other large vehicles will have a new speed limit of 120 kph from 80 kph while other vehicles will be limited to 140 kph from 100 kph.

He clarified that the actual speed limit will depend on road conditions.

In addition, he said an audit of road conditions in expressways is ongoing to rehabilitate roads damaged by inclement weather and other incidents.

“Kailangan nang gampanan ng ating mga toll operators ang pagkukumpuni nitong mga medyo mga potholes na ito at saka mga lubak-lubak na o hindi na nararapat na pavement na nandiyan kaya’t kailangang gawin ng ating mga toll operators right away (Toll operators need to fix these potholes and uneven roads that shouldn’t have been there in the first place, and they need to do it right away),” he said.

The bill is entitled “An act providing for the definition of expressway and setting a speed limit for such highway all over the country, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 4136, as amended, otherwise known as the ‘Land Transportation and Traffic Code.’”

It only affects “controlled-access highways” or toll roads such as the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon Expressway, among others.