A segment of the P24-billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)-C5 Northlink project is targeted to be completed by the first quarter of 2026, said Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) on Tuesday.
Jose Ma. Lim, the newly appointed MPTC president and chief executive officer (CEO), along with Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and representatives from partner government agencies, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the first two kilometers of the NLEX-C5 Northlink project on March 4.
This segment will extend NLEX from the Mindanao Toll Plaza to Quirino Highway through an all-weather elevated expressway that will be accessible to all types of vehicles 24/7, offering a seamless route for motorists heading to and from Novaliches in Quezon City, MPTC said.
“We aim to finish this 2-km road in 12 months. During construction, we will work closely with all stakeholders to minimize disruptions,” Lim said.
The entire NLEX-C5 Northlink project extends 11.3 km from Mindanao Avenue to C5/C.P. Garcia, close to Katipunan Avenue.
According to Lim, the choice to build an elevated expressway was driven by reducing construction-related disruptions for local communities.
Upon completion, this project will improve access to the expressway from Metro Manila’s west, east, north and south sides.
It will dramatically cut travel time and alleviate traffic congestion on major roads like EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Quirino Highway and Mindanao Avenue, resulting in more efficient commutes and logistics operations, MPTC said.
The project is an integral part of the expressway’s expansion plans aimed at improving access between NLEX, Valenzuela City and Quezon City, it added.
This will stimulate business growth, create job opportunities and contribute to the economic development of the surrounding areas, MPTC noted.
Meanwhile, Lim assumed the role of MPTC president and CEO on March 1, replacing Arrey Perez who took over the position at the end of November last year.
Lim said Perez will focus on regulatory matters, including issues related to rail, water and other areas of the group’s businesses.
“We have decided to expand the role of Arrey to have regulatory affairs for the whole group. I’m acting as president now and he is concentrating on regulatory affairs, that’s the transition,” Lim told reporters.
Lim’s mandate is to focus on the expansion of tollways, the preparation for upgrading to a cashless toll collection system and the merger of MPTC with San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
“On cashless, we are cooperating with the DOTr and TRB. Internally, we continue to prepare into upgrading into the cashless system,” Lim said.
“The merger (between MPTC and SMC) at this stage, it’s going to be speeding up,” he added.
MPTC, the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., operates NLEX, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and NLEX Connector Road.
