NLEX Corp. has submitted a proposal to widen the North Luzon Expressway to ease traffic congestion at the main artery up Luzon Island, according to the Toll Regulatory Board.
“[NLEX has] submitted what we call the NLEX Widening Expansion Phase 3. It’s still under evaluation,” Alvin Carullo, TRB executive director said on Monday.
The project, Carullo said, aims to decongest traffic at the expressway.
Only recently, NLEX signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the TRB to build the Sto. Tomas Interchange between San Simon and San Fernando, Pampanga, providing direct access to Santo Tomas and nearby towns.
This interchange will also ease congestion in the lead up to San Fernando by providing an additional entry point to the province.
As part of the NLEX 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 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 serves as the new dedicated lane for Malhacan-bound vehicles while the leftmost and middle lanes are assigned for those going to the Iba/Camalig Road, providing additional space for the high volume of trucks going to the industrial areas.
The tollway company will also continue its maintenance program, a comprehensive pavement maintenance and repair works done annually to preserve the quality of road assets and ensure its safe condition.
NLEX will likewise invest in various system enhancement programs and major upgrades in traffic management systems.
The NLEX traffic control center, which houses a central traffic management system, will undergo renovation this year.
The center integrates technologies for traffic monitoring and communication to ensure prompt action for the safety and convenience of motorists. It is run 24/7 by trained personnel who monitor traffic flow and deploy patrol crews and emergency response teams during incidents.
Other projects the NLEX is pursuing this year include the Candaba 3rd Viaduct scheduled to be finished by November 2024 and the NLEX C5-Link.
The first two kilometers of the NLEX C5-Link between Mindanao Avenue toll plaza to Quirino Highway in Novaliches is set to begin construction by the second quarter of 2024.
The third major project relates to the expansion of the NLEX San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Mabalacat, Pampanga targeted to start in the second quarter this year.
When competeted, expressway road capacity of the stretch from San Fernando to the SCTEX Spur in Pampanga will expand 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.
