NLEX Corp. over the weekend bared the pursuit of three expressway projects designed to further expand its capacity.
“This 2024, we intend to embark on three major infrastructure projects and a series of enhancement programs on our assets, which are our roads and our systems, all for the improved travel experience of our motorists at NLEX, SCTEX and NLEX Connector,” J. Luigi Bautista, NLEX president and general manager, said.
These projects include the completion of the Candaba 3rd Viaduct scheduled to be completed by November this year. Now 40 percent complete, the five-kilometer viaduct is built in the middle of two existing bridges connecting the towns of Pulilan, Bulacan and Apalit, Pampanga.
Once completed, the Candaba Viaduct will be widened to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders in each direction, enhancing motorists’ safety and mobility.
Another vital project is the NLEX C5-Link. The first two kilometers between the Mindanao Avenue toll plaza to Quirino Highway in Novaliches is set to begin construction by the second quarter this year.
“The construction of this new expressway section will be welcome news for NLEX commuters who currently face daily traffic gridlock in the congested portions of Mindanao Avenue. Eventually, this section will be integrated into the future NLEX expansion to C5/C.P. Garcia near Katipunan Avenue,” Bautista said.
He forecasts an interconnected tollway network that will be accessible to the west, east, north, and south sides of Metro Manila.
The third major project relates to the much-needed expansion of NLEX San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Mabalacat, Pampanga targeted to start in the second quarter this year.
When completed, the expressway capacity of the stretch from San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Pampanga will be expanded from the existing 2×2 lanes to 3×3 lanes in each direction, giving motorists a faster, more seamless travel.
The project also includes the installation of roadway lighting from NLEX San Fernando all the way to Sta. Ines, Mabalacat in Pampanga for added safety and the expansion of the Angeles Interchange to accommodate the increase in volume of vehicles in the area.
Recently, the NLEX also signed a memorandum of agreement with DPWH and the Toll Regulatory Board to build the Sto. Tomas Interchange between San Simon and San Fernando in Pampanga, which will provide direct access to Santo Tomas and nearby towns. This interchange will also ease congestion leading to San Fernando by providing an additional entry point to the province.
As part of the company’s traffic decongestion program, the new F. Raymundo Exit in Brgy, Pandayan, Meycauayan Northbound and the additional lane at the Meycauayan Northbound Exit ramp were recently opened to ease the recurrent traffic in the area especially during peak hours and holidays.
The new exit provides an additional and alternative route going to the eastern portion of the City of Meycauayan and Marilao while the additional lane in Meycauayan Northbound Exit ramp serves as the new dedicated lane for Malhacan-bound vehicles while the leftmost and middle lanes are assigned for those going to Iba/Camalig, providing additional space for the high volume of trucks going to the industrial areas.
