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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider The more the merrier: DPWH, tollway firm mull road network expansion in Pampanga

The more the merrier: DPWH, tollway firm mull road network expansion in Pampanga

Published Mar 22, 2021 06:26 pm

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the NLEX Corporation are now exploring ways to further expand Luzon’s road network starting from the existing expressways in Pampanga.

The tollway company said in a statement Monday, March 22,  that they are now working closely with DPWH in implementing its road projects in Pampanga that would connect to the NLEX-SCTEX network.

It said that its “pool of engineers are evaluating how to incorporate the three DPWH projects in Sto. Tomas, Mexico, and Sta. Ines, Pampanga safely and efficiently in the existing expressway system.”

“We are actively coordinating with DPWH in laying out the plans for the interconnection of NLEX-SCTEX, with some of these projects included in the Pampanga Circumferential Road,” NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista said.

“The team is carefully studying the safety and security aspects of the projects, and making sure that both local and NLEX motorists get to benefit from these,” Bautista added.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar, on the other hand, stated that consultations are progressing with public and private sectors on various road projects, adding that they are “pushing for new access roads to ease daily traffic congestion and improve travel convenience.”

One of the projects in the pipeline is a road network that will connect NLEX to MacArthur Highway in Sto. Tomas town.

Villar bared that a new interchange will be constructed to provide better access between the expressway and towns in the southern part of Pampanga such as Sto. Tomas, Minalin, Guagua and Lubao.

Moreover, a new interconnection that would decongest the portions of MacArthur Highway and the Mexico Toll Plaza is also being discussed. This road will extend the existing Aquino Byway in Barangay Calulut in San Fernando City. It will also provide an alternative route for trucks going to the expressway.  

DPWH and NLEX are also in the process of merging their engineering plans and addressing right-of-way concerns for the proposed road extending the Sta. Ines Interchange in Barangay Atlu-Bola, in Mabalacat City toward the SCTEX covering Barangay Dolores, also in Mabalacat City.

Both organizations previously partnered in the implementation of road network improvements in Bulacan, including the opening of Tambubong Interchange and the Philippine Arena Interchange in Bocaue; the Balagtas Northbound Entry, and the ongoing construction of the Balagtas Interchange southbound exit.  

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