The Philippines’ NLEX Corporation has announced that it will continue to implement infrastructure developments and enhancement projects this year, which will further contribute to the country’s economic growth.
“We will invest in major expansion and enhancement projects that are vital to the country’s economic resurgence and, at the same time, ease the travel of the motoring public as we seek to support the government’s call for the private sector to take part in nation-building,” said J. Luigi L. Bautista, president of NLEX Corporation.
According to NLEX, these major projects – which aim to improve mobility, safety and connectivity for the motorists – include the NLEX Connector and Candaba Third Viaduct.
The entire NLEX Connector spans 8 km starting from Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila. It is expected to decongest major thoroughfares in the metro. Its first section between Caloocan and España interchanges is currently at 94% completion and expected to open within the first quarter of this year, said NLEX. The second section, connecting España and Sta. Mesa, is now 29% complete.
Part of the construction of the second segment is the redevelopment of the Magsaysay Boulevard that features on and off ramps in Magsaysay and Sta. Mesa, improving portions of the local road network such as Osmeña Highway, Nagtahan, Rizal Avenue Extension, G. Araneta Avenue, and A. Bonifacio Avenue, explained NLEX. It will also enable easier travel to various areas like Manila City Hall, Quiapo Church, University Belt, Intramuros, Rizal Park, Gilmore, Cubao, and San Juan.
Meanwhile, the construction of Candaba Third Viaduct is set to commence in the first quarter of 2023. The project will expand the 5-km bridge from existing three lanes without shoulder to three lanes with inner and outer shoulder per direction. In addition to making travels safer and more convenient, this new bridge will enable faster journeys as it will increase the maximum speed at the viaduct from 60 to 80 kph.
Also in the pipeline is the construction of new expressway lanes in Pampanga from San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Mabalacat.
Apart from building new roads, NLEX is looking to improve its assets for better customer experience by undertaking the regular pavement repair and bridge strengthening programmes, replacement of traffic safety devices, and continuous improvement of its toll systems.
To reduce its carbon footprint, NLEX will start using electric vehicles in its operations. The company also plans to continue its resource-saving initiatives of harnessing solar power in select toll plazas.
At the end of 2022, NLEX reported finishing the road raising project in SCTEX, upgrading of Pampanga bridges, improvement of Balintawak Cloverleaf, enhancements in infrastructure, toll collection system, and account management system.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
Image: NLEX Corporation
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