Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. unit NLEX Corp. is on track to pursue its infrastructure developments and enhancement projects this year.
“We will invest in major expansion and enhancement projects that are vital to the country’s economic resurgence and, at the same time, ease the travel of the motoring public as we seek to support the government’s call for the private sector to take part in nation-building,” J. Luigi Bautista, NLEX Corp. president, said in a statement.
These major projects, which are geared towards improving mobility, safety and connectivity for motorists, are the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector and Candaba Third Viaduct.
The entire NLEX Connector stretches 8 kilometers starting from Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
It is seen to decongest major thoroughfares in the metro. Its first section between Caloocan and España interchanges is at 94 percent completion and is expected to open within the first quarter of the year. The second section, connecting España and Sta. Mesa, is now 29 percent complete.
The construction of the Candaba Third Viaduct is also set to commence in the first quarter of 2023. The project will expand the 5-km bridge from the existing three lanes without shoulder to three lanes with inner and outer shoulder per direction.
Aside from making travels safer and more convenient, this new bridge, once finished, will also enable faster journeys as it will increase the maximum speed at the viaduct from 60 km per hour to 80kph, the company said.
Also in the pipeline is the construction of new expressway lanes in Pampanga from San Fernando to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) spur in Mabalacat.
Apart from building new roads, NLEX Corp. said it is looking to enhance its assets for better customer experience by undertaking the regular pavement repair and bridge strengthening programs, replacement of traffic safety devices, and continuous enhancement of its toll systems.
It is also set to install more closed-circuit television cameras along NLEX, SCTEX and Subic Freeport Expressway and upgrade the NLEX-SCTEX traffic control center.
At the end of 2022, the company reported finishing the road raising project in SCTEX, upgrading of Pampanga bridges, improvement of Balintawak Cloverleaf, and enhancements in infrastructure, toll collection system and account management system. – Myla Iglesias
