Newly installed acting secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Roger Mercado has committed to deliver the right of way (ROW) needed for the 8-kilometer North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector project which is slated to start partial operations in the first quarter of 2022.
“This new expressway will greatly benefit the public. We will continue our efforts to deliver the right of way needed for the NLEX Connector as we target to complete this in the first quarter of next year,” Mercado said in a statement. Appointed last October 12, Mercado recently inspected the NLEX Connectort.
NLEX Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., is accelerating the construction of the P23-billion expressway.
The first 5-km. section of the expressway, which is now halfway complete, is set to be operational by first quarter next year. It traverses Caloocan Interchange in Circumferential Road 3/5th avenue to España boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila.
The next 3-km. section spans from España Interchange up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
When completed, this new elevated road is expected to serve around 35,000 motorists daily and is seen as a viable 24/7 route for truckers delivering goods between north and south of Metro Manila.
Mercado also inspected the ongoing Binondo Intramuros Bridge project, making him the first Cabinet official to step onto the completed deck slab of the two-way, four-lane basket-handle tied steel arch main bridge.
DPWH together with the contractor China Road and Bridge Corp. has completed about 82.75 percent of the project.
“We are almost there and the project is scheduled to be finished early next year,” Mercado said.
