Construction of the second section of the P23 billion NLEX Connector, between the future España and Sta. Mesa interchanges in Manila, officially begun on Tuesday, Dec. 14, as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NLEX Corporation led the groundbreaking for the remaining three kilometers of the elevated expressway.
Earlier, NLEX Corp. signed an agreement with China Road and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) for the civil works contract of the project.
The entire NLEX Connector spans eight kilometers and uses portions of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) right-of-way. It extends the expressway southward from the NLEX Harbor Link Caloocan Interchange, 5th Avenue/C3 Road passing through España Blvd., R. Magsaysay Blvd., eventually connecting to the Skyway Stage 3 within the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
“We are committed to provide the necessary right-of-way for this project as we target to complete this segment by end of 2022," says DPWH Secretary Roger Mercado.
Upon completion, the NLEX Connector will enable Manila Ports to have a seamless north-south connection and provide further convenience to motorists with the decongestion of major thoroughfares like EDSA and C5, he noted.
The NLEX Connector is crucial in improving mobility because it will divert cargo trucks to the elevated expressway, decongesting local roads. The route is available 24/7, without a truck ban.
The NLEX Connector will likewise enable the supply chain and logistics sectors to achieve 24/7 unhampered delivery of goods.
“The new elevated expressway l reduces traffic congestion in the metro and offer those with private cars and commercial vehicles ease of travel,” remarked Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) President and CEO Rodrigo Franco.
In addition, “The project will enhance accessibility to international airports such as NAIA and Clark, help generate jobs, and stimulate development between Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces in the north and south.”
Once opened, around 35,000 motorists are expected to traverse this new expressway which runs mostly above the PNR alignment.
Meanwhile, the construction of the first five-kilometer section of the project between Caloocan and España interchanges continues to progress with close to 60 percent completion.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).