Completion of NLEX Connector pushed back to Q1 '22

Tollway operator NLEX Corporation vowed that the initial five-kilometer segment of the NLEX Connector from Caloocan Interchange to España Boulevard will be completed by the first quarter of 2021.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar made the announcement during his latest inspection of the project, which was affirmed by the NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi Bautista.

The latest statement was issued after claiming last January that the said portion would be finished this year.

Now nearing its halfway mark, the first segment of the elevated expressway project is being built inside the Philippine National Railways (PNR) ROW and passes through urbanized areas between Harbor Link-Caloocan Interchange along C3 Road/5th Avenue and España Boulevard. in Sampaloc, Manila,

This public-private partnership project has an allotted P23 billion budget.

“The first section of NLEX Connector from Caloocan Interchange to España Boulevard is nearly halfway done,” Villar said. “We are targeting to deliver the full right-of-way (ROW) for this section by next month so we can further accelerate the project.”

Bautista  acknowledged the department’s commitment to fast-track the ROW delivery, saying, that they are “pleased that the construction activities are moving forward with the construction progress standing at 45 percent.” “Thanks to our government partner, DPWH, for securing the ROW requirements,” he noted.

Further, NLEX Corporation shared that it would be using state-of-the-art Indonesian technology called Sosrobahu to accelerate the construction.

According to the tollway company, Sosrobahu is being utilized in installing coping beams or pierheads in certain portions of the NLEX Connector as the device enables the construction of expressways above existing roads with minimum disturbance to traffic.

“This technology is highly beneficial since it will ramp up the construction progress and most importantly minimize traffic jams thus reduce economic losses. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, we can expect significant progress in the coming months because of this innovative solution,” Bautista said.

Aside from that, the company is also using Super T girders to accelerate the construction of the infrastructure. These girders are pre-stressed box girders that are widely used for bridges in Australia and New Zealand. “More than 1,400 girders will be used for the entire project,” the NLEX Corporation shared in a statement.

“We continue to find opportunities and improve the way we do things to accelerate the construction of the NLEX Connector. We are optimistic that the construction technology that we are employing will increase efficiency and boost productivity at the site,” Bautista was quoted as saying.

Further, NLEX Corporation is also making the most of the PNR railway tracks in transporting major structural components from one site to another as part of its efforts to speed up the construction.

“While the NLEX Connector España Section is progressing, the next three-kilometer elevated section between España Interchange and the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila is seen to commence construction within the year,” the statement indicated.

Once done, the NLEX Connector will have four toll plazas and interchanges in C3 and España that is expected to cater to 35,000 motorists every day.

Photos from NLEX Corporation

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