An additional entry point to NLEX from northern Valenzuela is expected to improve traffic flow on the city’s major roads as the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and NLEX Corporation, together with government partners and agencies, inaugurate the NLEX Lingunan Southbound Entry.
Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Regulation division chief Joz Carlos Ordillano, and NLEX officer-in-charge and MPTC chief finance officer Luis Reñon led the inaugural drive-thru of the new 491-meter-long one-lane entry ramp.
“Set to open this month, the new entry plaza will help ease traffic flow at the highly congested Valenzuela/Paso de Blas Interchange, where all the local roads converge. This development is expected to provide relief to the barangays of Lawang Bato, Lingunan, Punturin, Canumay East, and Canumay West. We hope to provide ease for all motorists and aid businesses in facilitating faster movement of goods and services as we know Valenzuela has made a name as a growing industrial and commercial center. We would like to build other entry/exit ramps such as this to decongest NLEX and adjacent cities/municipalities as part of our expansion plans and widening program,” said NLEX officer-in-charge Luis Reñon.
Reñon also proudly shared that the project was scheduled for completion in five months, but the NLEX team was able to finish in four months or one month ahead of schedule. The project is a joint initiative of NLEX and the City Government of Valenzuela, with support from the Toll Regulatory Board.
Mayor Gatchalian expressed gratitude toward NLEX and TRB and shared how he visualizes the new Lingunan Southbound entry to improve the quality of life of Valenzuelaños. “Nais kong pasalamatan si MPTC Chairman Manuel Pangilinan (MVP), ang pamunuan ng NLEX Corporation at Toll Regulatory Board sa kanilang pakikipagtulungan sa proyektong ito,” he said. “Sa pagbubukas nito, magkakaroon ng bago, mas mabilis, at mas convenient na alternatibong daanan para sa mga motorista ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela,” Gatchalian added.
NLEX’s standard traffic management practices were implemented during construction to ensure motorists’ safety and convenience. The new Lingunan Southbound Entry is the 5th entry access of Valenzuela City to the expressway. Others are via Karuhatan, Mindanao Ave, Paso de Blas, and Lawang Bato.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).