NLEX Corporation Opens 2 New Projects

The NLEX Corporation has opened two new projects designed to improved access with the McArthur Highway in the north: the SCTEX Mabiga Interchange and the NLEX Sta. Ines-Magalang Exit.

Last Monday, February 26, NLEX Corp. President and CEO Rodrigo Franco led the inauguration rites. Joining him at the ceremonial drive-thru were Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo, Mabalacat Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, and Bases and Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vivencio Dizon, among others.

The latest addition to the NLEX-SCTEx infrastructure is aimed to promote traffic safety as well as uplift the convenience for motorists traveling in the area, particularly in the Greater Clark area.

The newest project converted the SCTEX Mabiga into a full diamond interchange with new access ramps and new entry and exit toll plazas. The redesign is seen to improve road safety where the local traffic and the expressway merges. 

Meanwhile, the NLEX Sta. Ines Interchange now has a right turning exit ramp to Mabalacat-Magalang Road to improve direct access to local roads in Magalang.

Back in 2016, NLEX Corp. added eight kilometers of new expressway lanes in Mabalacat, including new bridges at Brgy. Balem and Brgy. Quitangquil--segregating northbound and southbound motorists along different carriageways.

Franco said that the enhancements were meant to advance safety and productivity for commuters and motorists with connectivity made on the expressways to and from McArthur Highways. He also said that the projects are seen to bring greater developments in the region as it will provide better access and facilitate efficient transport of goods and services.

For his part, BCDA chief Dizon expressed support to the project.

"We are proud to support the NLEX Corp in providing safe, reliable, and people oriented projects such as the SCTEX Mabiga Interchange. The interchange will enable a smooth and faster flow of traffic to motorists going to Subic and Tarlac," he said, adding that the turnover of the SCTEx from them to NLEX Corp. in 2015 was a sound decision.

Meanwhile, former chief executive Arroyo was elated with the recent developments. Arroyo, during the press conference, said that the SCTEx among all others was her most important legacy during her term. The challenge--according to Arroyo--is to make the region the countermagnet for congested
Metro Manila.