NLEX Corporation held the inauguration of a new stretch of the NLEX‑C5 Northlink project on Thursday, timed before the big holiday traffic buildup for Undas.
The newly opened Section 1A of Segment 8.2 runs for 2 kilometers, linking Quirino Highway in Quezon City to the NLEX Mindanao Toll Plaza in Valenzuela City. It gives drivers another way to reach key spots in Metro Manila and northern Luzon.
This new road is meant to cut heavy traffic on Mindanao Avenue and Quirino Highway. It should also shorten travel time, make trips safer, and be more convenient — especially during busy travel seasons.
Drivers coming from Quirino Highway can now go straight to the NLEX Connector toward Manila, the University Belt and nearby cities, as an alternative to EDSA. Those going north can take the new section to the NLEX Mindanao Toll Plaza and onto the main NLEX route for Central Luzon, plus connections to the Subic‑Clark‑Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) heading further into northern Luzon.
The 2‑kilometer section is projected to carry around 11,000 vehicles every day. It will be open 24‑7 for all vehicle types, helping move passengers and cargo, and supporting transport logistics and local business activity.
Section 1A is part of the larger 11.3‑kilometer NLEX‑C5 Northlink Segment 8.2, which will run from Mindanao Avenue to C5‑C.P. Garcia near Katipunan Avenue once fully built.
When the whole project is finished, it will improve links between northern and southern Luzon via Metro Manila’s eastern side. It will add more route choices for motorists and help ease traffic across the capital region.
The NLEX‑C5 Northlink is a public‑private partnership. The Toll Regulatory Board is the government grantor, while NLEX Corporation — a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation — is the private operator.
