Motorists can still use the 8.2-kilometer Subic Freeport Expressway beyond Jan. 15 as its temporary opening is extended until the road is fully completed.
The new and expanded section of the Subic Freeport Expressway will remain open to motorists from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. until its full completion next month.
“This is to provide continued convenience to motorists already using the new expressway, and for those who will be traveling to and from the Subic area,” the NLEX Corp. said in a statement.
Last December, the new SFEX carriageway was temporarily opened for the holidays until Jan. 15 to give way to the construction of the remaining works.
However, assessments and recent developments showed that the new road can stay open during these hours while there are still works being done in some areas, including the portion of Jadjad Bridge, according to the company.
“We are keeping the new SFEX road partially open to the motoring public up to its target completion in February. With this, we can continue providing faster and safer access to and from Subic especially for businesses and logistics companies operating in the area as well for tourists,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said.
The P1.6-billion SFEX Capacity Expansion project aims to increase the road capacity of SFEX from one lane in each direction to two lanes in each direction with the construction of two additional lanes, bridges, and a new tunnel.
It intends to improve traffic safety, provide additional road capacity, and reduce travel time to and from Subic Bay Freeport.
Expressway-standard LED lights are also being installed, while the elevation of Maritan Highway-Rizal Highway-Tipo Road junction was raised and the drainage system was enhanced to allow motorists to experience comfortable and easy journeys all year round.
NLEX Corp. President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista affirmed that “necessary safety requirements have been met in keeping the SFEX open while construction works are ongoing.” He also said that “this will further help improve mobility as businesses in the Subic Bay Freeport are coming back on track from adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
It was disclosed that from Dec. 28 to Jan. 11, more than 95,000 motorists have been served by the new road.