NLEX guarantees major projects, more road improvements in 2023

The toll operator for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) assured that it will continue to implement infrastructure developments and enhancement projects to boost economic growth in the country.

NLEX Corporation President Luigi Bautista mentioned in a statement the company will invest in major expansion and enhancement projects that are considered “vital to the country’s economic resurgence” and ease the travel of the motoring public in its bid to support the government’s call for the private sector to take part in nation-building.

The major projects — which, according to the toll company, are geared towards improving mobility, safety, and connectivity for the motorists — are the NLEX Connector and Candaba third viaduct.

Stretching around eight kilometers from Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila, the NLEX Connector is expected to decongest major thoroughfares in the metro.

NLEX Corporation said that the aforementioned connector road’s first section (established between Caloocan and España interchanges) is 94-percent complete and targeted to be opened within the first quarter of the year. Meanwhile, the NLEX Connector's second section (which interlinks España and Sta. Mesa) is currently 29-percent complete.

Under the construction of the second segment is the redevelopment of the Magsaysay Boulevard that will feature 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. The project is also aimed to provide access to various areas like the Manila City Hall, Quiapo Church, University Belt, Intramuros, Rizal Park, Gilmore, Cubao, and San Juan.

On the other hand, the construction of Candaba third viaduct shall commence within the first quarter of 2023. The project covers the expansion of the five-kilometer bridge from existing three lanes without shoulder to three lanes with inner and outer shoulder per direction.

Once finished, the said portion will also increase the maximum speed at the Viaduct from 60 kilometers per hour (kph) to 80 kph.

Further, the NLEX Corporation said that the construction of new expressway lanes in Pampanga from San Fernando to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) Spur in Mabalacat is also in its pipeline.

Aside from building new roads, the company is also eyeing to improve its other assets through  regular pavement repair and bridge strengthening programs, replacement of traffic safety devices, and continuous enhancement of its toll systems. More closed-circuit television cameras along NLEX, SCTEX, and Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) are to be installed and the NLEX-SCTEX traffic control center will also be upgraded.

To cut down its carbon footprint, NLEX Corporation will start using electric vehicles (EV) in its operations.

The EV patrol crews will further push for decarbonization as part of the MVP Group’s thrust towards sustainability. The tollway company will also continue resource-saving initiatives of harnessing solar power in select toll plazas.

At the end of 2022, NLEX Corporation finished the road raising project in SCTEX, upgrading of Pampanga bridges, improvement of Balintawak Cloverleaf, enhancements in infrastructure, toll collection system, and account management system.

Photos from NLEX Corporation

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