Starting today (December 28) until January 15, 2021, the P1.6-billion expanded section of the 8.2-kilometer Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) will be temporarily opened for motorists coming in and out of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone for the holidays.
The new SFEX, constructed beside the existing SFEX carriageway, will be available to motorists on December 28, 2020 until January 15, 2021 from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
During this period, it will be closed from 6:01 pm to 5:59 am the next day for the continuing construction of remaining works.
The SFEX Capacity Expansion project converted the Subic Freeport Expressway to a 2x2 divided expressway, with the construction of two additional expressway lanes, two new bridges, and a new tunnel.
This will increase the road capacity of SFEX from one lane in each direction to two lanes in each direction.
The project also includes the installation of expressway-standard LED lights, the raising of elevation of Maritan Highway-Rizal Highway-Tipo Road junction, and the enhancement of the drainage system for better flood management in the area.
A series of road safety audits showed that the whole project alignment, except for the portion of Jadjad Bridge which is still under construction, has complied with the safety requirements thus safe for use by the motoring public.
The SFEX Capacity Expansion is envisioned to enhance accessibility and promote travel efficiency on this key road that connects Bataan and Zambales. It is also expected to boost Subic’s competitiveness as an ideal shipping gateway for businesses in Central and North Luzon.
“With the improved and expanded SFEX, the transport of goods in and out of the Subic Freeport will be faster and easier," according to NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
"Night driving will also be safe and enjoyable for our motorists,” he added.
The Subic Freeport Expressway was built when the Philippines was chosen to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 1996.
Initially, it was meant to cut down travel time from Hermosa, Bataan to Subic, Zambales from almost one hour to less than 10 minutes.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar along with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma B. Eisma and NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista, led the drive-thru of the new expressway lanes built to improve traffic flow and road safety.