The construction of the 2.55-kilometer that connects the two major express ways heading to and from Metro Manila is now 66 percent complete, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
DPWH Undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership Services Maria Catalina E. Cabral said the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Connector Road Section 2 will link the España Boulevard interchange to the end of Manila Skyway Stage 3 at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Sta. Mesa, Manila.
photo: DPWH
Currently, Cabral said a total of 1.84 kilometer of four-lane road have already been finished, including the on and off ramp at España Boulevard, adding that the while civil works for the entry and exit ramps at Magsaysay Boulevard are being fast-tracked for opening within the last quarter of this year.
“We want to ensure that right-of-way and construction activities are right on schedule in order to provide seamless travel for motorists, most especially trucks coming from the ports at North Harbor as well as to improve the connectivity and traffic flow between the Southern and Northern part of Luzon and its surrounding areas,” said Cabral.
The entire NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, which spans a total of 7.70 kilometers from the end of NLEX Segment 10 at Circumferential Road 3 (C-3) at Caloocan to the end of Manila Skyway Stage 3 at PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila, is a joint project between the Philippine Government thru DPWH and Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program.
“With construction activities on track for the final section, around 35,000 mixed vehicular traffic including heavy vehicles traveling per day from SLEX to NLEX will soon enjoy reduced logistical costs brought by shorter travel time from the current two (2) hours to just 20 minutes,” said Cabral. (Trixee Rosel)