The Philippines’ NLEX Corporation has pledged to continue implementing infrastructure development and enhancement projects this year to expand its road capacity.

“This 2024, we intend to embark on three major infrastructure projects and a series of enhancement programmes 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 J. Luigi Bautista, president and general manager of NLEX Corporation.

One of the major projects is the Candaba 3rd Viaduct, which is scheduled for completion by November 2024. It is being built in the middle of two existing bridges that connect the towns of Pulilan, Bulacan and Apalit, Pampanga. This 5-km viaduct will be widened to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders in each direction.

Another major project is the NLEX C5-Link. The first 2-km of the project, between the Mindanao Avenue toll plaza and Quirino Highway in Novaliches, is set to begin construction by the second quarter of 2024. According to Mr Bautista, this new expressway section will eventually 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,” he added. 

The third major project is the expansion of NLEX San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Mabalacat, Pampanga, which is targeted to start in the second quarter of 2024. Besides the expansion work, the project will also include the installation of road lighting from NLEX San Fernando all the way to Sta. Ines in Mabalacat for improved safety as well as the expansion of the Angeles Interchange to accommodate the increase in volume of vehicles in the area.

Furthermore, NLEX has recently signed an agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Toll Regulatory Board (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.

NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).

All images: NLEX Corporation