NLEX Connector España Section set for opening this month
The first five kilometer section of NLEX Connector between Caloocan and España
interchanges has achieved substantial completion and is scheduled for opening within the month.
This was announced by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the
grantor of the NLEX Connector project, during the final inspection of the road led by DPWH
Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista,
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco and NLEX
Corporation President and GM J. Luigi L. Bautista. The inspection was conducted as part of
regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and convenience of the motoring public.
Now 98 percent complete, the NLEX Connector España Section is expected to reduce
traffic congestion in the City of Manila such as España Boulevard, Abad Santos Avenue, Rizal
Avenue and Lacson Avenue as it will divert trucks and other vehicles from the capital’s major
roads. The elevated expressway is being eyed to provide greater access to several areas in Manila
including the University Belt.
“We are on our final stretch of construction for this first segment of the NLEX Connector
and we are looking forward to opening it before the end of March. The next phase of this project
is the three-kilometer section from España to Sta. Mesa, which DPWH and NLEX are
accelerating so we can finish by the second quarter of this year,” said DPWH Secretary Bonoan.
Designed to cater to all vehicle classes including trucks, the four-lane (2×2) NLEX
Connector intends to stimulate economic growth by significantly improving the mobility of
motorists thus boost overall productivity.
For his part, DOTr Secretary Bautista said “the NLEX Connector augurs well for the
agency’s mandate of providing convenient access for road users as it will address traffic
congestion. We will ensure that a holistic traffic management plan will be in order so motorists
can travel safely and seamlessly.”
Around 35,000 vehicles daily are anticipated to benefit from this new road that is seen to
provide infrastructure support to decongest local roads and enhance the operations of various
businesses especially those in logistics sector as cargo trucks can pass through the road 24/7
without having to worry about truck ban.
“We started constructing the NLEX Connector España Section in February 2020, and
construction was continuous despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the many challenges, we
are pleased that the project is almost complete. We will continue to be a strategic partner of the
government and focus on our goal of completing this infrastructure that will facilitate greater
connection between the north and south,” said NLEX President and GM Bautista.
In its entirety, the NLEX Connector stretches eight kilometers starting from Caloocan
Interchange on C3 Road, Dimasalang, España Blvd., R. Magsaysay Blvd., up to the vicinity of
the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila. It has on and off
ramps at C3, España Blvd., and R. Magsaysay Blvd.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC),
the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
