After the successful opening of the NLEX Connector Caloocan to Magsaysay Section, a game changer infrastructure that shortened travel time from C3 Caloocan to Magsaysay Blvd in Manila to just eight minutes, NLEX Corporation pledges to continue implementing infrastructure development and enhancement projects this year that will expand the capacity of its roads.
“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,” said NLEX Corporation president and general manager, J. Luigi Bautista. These major infrastructure projects include the completion of the Candaba 3rd Viaduct which is scheduled to be finished by November 2024. Now 40% complete, this five kilometer viaduct is being built in the middle of the two existing bridges that connects 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, therefore enhancing motorists’ safety and mobility.
Another vital project of the tollway company is the NLEX C5-Link. The first two kilometers of the project between the Mindanao Avenue toll plaza to Quirino Highway in Novaliches is set to begin construction by the second quarter of 2024.
“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. We foresee an interconnected tollway network that will be accessible to the west, east, north, and south sides of Metro Manila,” Bautista noted.
The third major project would be the much-needed expansion of NLEX San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Mabalacat, Pampanga, which is targeted to start in the second quarter of this year. When finished, the expressway road 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, NLEX also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with DPWH and the TRB 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.
The tollway company will also continue its heavy maintenance program, a comprehensive pavement maintenance and repair works done annually to preserve the quality of road assets and ensure its safe condition.
NLEX Corporation 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.
Through the years, NLEX Corporation has been committed to the safety and convenience of its motorists and continuously explores ways to elevate every travel experience on its expressways. In fact, aside from the NLEX Connector, several projects were fast-tracked last year for motorists to enjoy unhampered movement on its expressways. These include the road raising of the 200-meter portion of the San Simon area under the Tulaoc Bridge and substructure strengthening works at the SCTEX Pasig Potrero Bridge.
A substantial toll and traffic systems upgrade was also implemented last year. Servers were upgraded, and new radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas were installed to enhance the processing of lane transactions. Additional speed cameras were installed for more effective enforcement of traffic regulations.
“We find ways to meet the demands of our motorists regardless of how challenging things are. More than proactiveness, it is important that expressway operators are also willing to go the extra mile to anticipate and deliver the needs of expressway users,” Bautista said.