NLEX Connector regarded as ‘welcome development in NCR road transport system’

Various personalities in the government have regarded the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) Connector Road as a welcome development in improving the efficiency of the road transport network in Metro Manila.

During tours and briefings hosted by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rodrigo Franco and NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi Bautista, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Road and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief and Assistant Secretary Jay Art Tugade, Metro Manila Council (MMC) President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Director Neomie Recio expressed their support for the project — sharing the same belief that it would beneficial in implementing developments in the country’s transport system.

“As a strategic government partner, we always collaborate with our stakeholders and present them our projects for their valuable inputs. We are honored that relevant agencies are supportive of this vital road that would highly benefit many cities in Metro Manila,” Bautista said.

The transportation department undersecretary said that the NLEX Connector will significantly contribute to the DOTr’s goal of providing greater accessibility for every road user, as he expressed the agency’s commitment of having a holistic traffic management plan to ensure that motorists can travel seamlessly, safely, and comfortably.

“The continuous improvement of our transportation system has always been our priority, and we always make sure that the center of these improvements is all our road users. This project adheres to our plan of bringing comfort and convenience to the public through reduced traffic, resulting in unimpeded travel,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zamora is excited for the upcoming opening of the project’s initial section. “Malaking tulong talaga itong mga dagdag na mga daanan. Umaasa tayo na sa pagbubukas ng NLEX Connector Phase 1 ay mararamdaman natin ang pagbawas ng trapiko sa Metro Manila (these extra roads are really a big help. We hope that with the opening of the NLEX Connector Phase 1, we will feel the reduction of traffic in Metro Manila),” he added.

Tugade is also looking forward to the NLEX Connector’s completion.

“Kapag natapos na ang proyekto at nagagamit na ang mga lansangan na ito, nawa'y maging malaking tulong para mapagaan ang daloy ng trapiko sa Metro Manila. Sadyang pinag-aralan ang pagkakalatag ng proyekto. Maraming salamat sa MPTC sa pagpupursige ng ganitong uri ng imprastruktura (Once the project is completed and these streets are in use, may it be a great help to ease the traffic flow in Metro Manila. The layout of the project was carefully studied. Many thanks to MPTC for pursuing this kind of infrastructure),” the LTO chief said.

Expected to spur development in its surrounding areas and enable faster and more efficient inter-regional movement of people and goods, the NLEX Connector is made up of two segments: the España and Sta Mesa sections.  The five-kilometer España Section traverses Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road and España Boulevard, while the three-kilometer Sta Mesa portion stretches from España Boulevard to R. Magsaysay Boulevard, up to the vicinity of Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Per NLEX Corporation, a portion of the NLEX Connector Sta. Mesa Section is the renovation of Magsaysay Boulevard. Apart from the rehabilitation of the existing eastbound and westbound service roads, improvement of Philippine National Railways (PNR) railroad crossing, the redevelopment project also includes relocation of electric posts, decommissioning of the Magsaysay Flyover, and traffic signalization of the Magsaysay Boulevard intersection.

In addition, the Magsaysay Boulevard improvement is also seen to create wider, at-grade lanes and enable easier travel to various Manila areas as the elevated expressway features on and off ramps in Magsaysay and Sta. Mesa, improving portions of the local road network such as Osmeña Highway, Nagtahan, Rizal Avenue Extension, G. Araneta Avenue, and A. Bonifacio Avenue. Motorists can easily get destinations such as Manila City Hall, Quiapo Church, University Belt, Intramuros, Rizal Park, EDSA, Gilmore, Cubao, and San Juan when the project is completed.

Currently, temporary lane closures are being implemented as the dismantling of Magsaysay Flyover is ongoing. Necessary measures are being done to reduce traffic slowdowns and ensure public safety, such as the fielding of traffic marshals and installation of directional signs and safety devices.   

Photos from NLEX Corporation

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