NLEX Connector's initial segment to open soon

The initial 5.15-kilometer portion of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector elevated expressway has officially been inaugurated. 

 The aforementioned segment is part of the eight-kilometer, four-lane toll road project that is eyed to improve mobility in the National Capital Region, which, in turn, will push for more development opportunities in north and south Luzon areas.

The newly-completed NLEX Connector section — which passes through C3 Road/5th Avenue, Blumentritt, and España in Sampaloc, Manila — is expected to reduce traffic along España Boulevard, Abad Santos Avenue, Rizal Avenue, and Lacson Avenue, as well as provide easier access to the University Belt and other nearby areas.

It will also serve as a new passageway to cars cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles with displacement of 400 cubic capacity and above — diverting them from the heavily-congested parts of the metropolis.

With entry and exit ramps at C3 Road and España, the new elevated expressway could trim down travel time between Caloocan and Manila and vice versa to just five minutes.

In its entirety, the P23-billion NLEX Connector stretches eight kilometers from Caloocan up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

In a statement, the toll operator said that the NLEX Connector’s second section (from España to Sta. Mesa) is 42-percent complete. In its full operations, it aims to serve around 35,000 vehicles daily, providing better access to Manila Ports and airports such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark.

Leading the inauguration rites of the NLEX Connector Caloocan-España section were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, MPTC President Rodrigo Franco, as well as NLEX Corporation President J. Luigi Bautista.

“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 was quoted as saying.

He also said that the MPTC sees to it that it builds sustainable infrastructure for the future generations, ensuring the company will leave our planet better than it is today.

For his part, the NLEX Corporation President described the completion of Caloocan-España Section as “a new chapter” in the company’s history, which forms part of an infrastructure project that “transforms the landscape of Metro Manila and celebrates the best of the Filipino spirit.”

“As most of you know, the construction of this expressway started in the middle of the pandemic — along with the lockdowns, social distancing practices, and economic losses. There were many setbacks, but we remained hopeful and implemented the project with courage, grit, and agility,” he added.

Photos from NLEX Corporation, Department of Public Works and Highways

Also read:

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

Construction of NLEX Connector Sta. Mesa Section begins

NLEX Corporation to improve Magsaysay Boulevard in Manila