The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday projected the completion of the España to Sta. Mesa section of the NLEX-SLEX Connector by the fourth quarter this year.
“We want to ensure that right-of-way and construction activities are right on schedule in order to provide seamless travel for motorists, especially trucks coming from the ports at North Harbor as well as improve the connectivity and traffic flow between the southern and northern parts of Luzon and surrounding areas,” Public Works undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership Service Maria Catalina E. Cabral, said.
At 66.64 percent completed, 1.84 kilometers of 4-lane road has already been finished, including the on and off ramp at España Boulevard, while civil works for the entry and exit ramps at Magsaysay Boulevard are being fast-tracked for opening within the last quarter of the year.
When completed, NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Section 2 will link the España Boulevard interchange to the end of Manila Skyway Stage 3 at PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The entire connector road, which spans 7.70 kilometers from the end of NLEX Segment 10 at Circumferential Road 3 (C-3) in Caloocan to the end of Manila Skyway Stage 3 in PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila, is a joint project of the DPWH and NLEX Corp. under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program.
“With construction activities on track for the final section, around 35,000 mixed vehicular traffic, including heavy vehicles traveling per day from SLEX to NLEX, will soon enjoy reduced logistical costs brought by shorter travel time from the current two hours to just 20 minutes,” Cabral said.
NLEX earlier targets to complete Section 2 of NLEX-SLEX Connector by the fourth quarter this year.
Section 1 from Caloocan to España was opened to the public in March this year.
The project provides easier access to the University Belt and ease traffic congestion in the cities of Malabon, Navotas, Caloocan, and Valenzuela.
The new expressway reduces travel time from C3 Road, Caloocan City and España, Manila from 30 to only five minutes.
