The first section of the P23-billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector road is set to be opened this week, while the entire 8-kilometer segment will be operational by June this year, according to NLEX Corp.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration yesterday of the 5-km elevated expressway that is expected to improve mobility in Metro Manila and is seen to further push economic development opportunities in the north and south of Luzon.
Marcos vowed that his administration will continue developing and finish on time more highly interconnected road network that will facilitate the country’s inclusive and sustained economic growth.
“We will not stop here, and we will continue to develop a highly interconnected road network that will facilitate our country’s rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth,” he said.
Also at the inauguration of the Caloocan-España section were Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. chairman Manuel Pangilinan.
“The NLEX Connector is expected to spur economic development as it eases Metro Manila’s traffic congestion, increases productivity, improves logistics, and boosts communities. We continue to focus on our goal of delivering infrastructure that will facilitate a greater connection between the north and the south,” Pangilinan said.
J. Luigi Bautista, NLEX Corp. president, told reporters the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is expected to release today the toll operating permit to officially open the new expressway, with toll fees of P84 to P85 from Caloocan to España interchange.
“We have a meeting tomorrow (March 28) with TRB. They will discuss there the permit. When we get the permit tomorrow morning, then we can start (operations) by afternoon,” he said, assuring motorists that it will be opened this week, just in time for the Holy Week.
Passing through urbanized areas such as Circumferential Road 3/5th avenue, Blumentritt and España in Sampaloc, Manila, the first section of the NLEX Connector is expected to ease traffic along España Boulevard, Abad Santos Avenue, Rizal Avenue and Lacson Avenue, and to provide easier access to several areas including the University Belt.
Construction of the second section from España to Sta. Mesa is ongoing. Its progress stands at 42 percent.
Upon full operations, it aims to serve around 35,000 vehicles daily, providing better access to Manila Ports and gateways such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport.
At present, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has delivered 80 percent of the right-of-way (ROW) for the second segment, Bautista said, noting the completion of the second segment or the entire project this June if DPWH can deliver the remaining ROW this year.
The expressway is also vital to DPWH’s game-changing Luzon Spine Expressway Network Program, which covers 905 km of high-standard highways and expressways.
“This project is very important to the riding public because it will ease traffic, allowing commuters to spend quality time with their families,” the transportation chief said, adding the NLEX Connector will accelerate the delivery of services and goods.
A public-private partnership road project between DPWH and Metro Pacific-led NLEX Corp., the NLEX Connector Caloocan-España Section will address traffic congestion in the metropolis and will improve efficiency on the road.
The NLEX-South Luzon Expressway Connector will also be connected to San Miguel Corp.’s Skyway Stage 3 in Paco, Manila, DPWH said.
The NLEX official, meanwhile, said traffic volume at the NLEX and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is expected to increase by 10 to 15 percent during the Holy Week. – With Jocelyn Montemayor
