DPWH commits seamless North-South connection by yearend
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Department of Public Works and Highways Senior Undersecretary Rafael Yabut said the DPWH team is committed to complete the NLEX Connector by yearend.
According to Yabut, they have accomplished 87 percent right-of-way acquisition for the entire project, and is hopeful that the remaining right-of-way be turned over by June 2022 so they can complete the road.
“We are delighted to see the progress of this vital infrastructure which is included in the government’s ‘Build! Build! Build!’ infrastructure program,” Yabut said, during the inspection of the progress of the NLEX Connector Sta. Mesa Section and the ongoing bored piling or foundation works along Antipolo Street, Sampaloc, Manila.
Officials of the DPWH and NLEX Corporation inspected ongoing works in the three-kilometer road, which forms part of the eight-kilometer NLEX Connector which extends the expressway southward from NLEX Harbor Link Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road, España Blvd., R. Magsaysay Blvd., all the way to Sta. Mesa, Manila. Around 72 piers will be built for this section.
A public-private partnership project between the DPWH and Metro Pacific group’s NLEX Corporation, the elevated expressway aims to serve as a long-term solution to the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila especially major thoroughfares such as EDSA and C5—benefitting thousands of motorists and commuters.
The NLEX Connector, which is part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network, will be operating above the Philippine National Railway lines. The PNR right-of-way is being shared by the NLEX Connector and the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR), which is also under construction.
Upon its completion, the NLEX Connector will be an integrated expressway connection between the NLEX and Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3—significantly cutting travel time from NLEX to South Luzon by at least 60 percent.
Since expressways are not covered by the truck ban policy and the NLEX Connector can accommodate Class 3 vehicles or large trucks, this new route will significantly improve the mobility of truckers and accessibility of the North and South Harbor as well as international airports such as NAIA and Clark.
“Our team is working together with our government partners so we can deliver this project on schedule. We are anticipating that once this elevated expressway opens, around 35,000 motorists will further experience convenience and be spared from the traffic in congested city roads,” said Nemesio Castillo, NLEX Corporation Vice President for Tollway Development and Engineering.
Seen as a crucial infrastructure, the NLEX Connector is also expected to stimulate economic development in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas, as well as its surrounding areas.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
