NLEX Corp. on Thursday broke ground on the P1.6-billion capacity expansion of the 8.2-kilometer Subic Freeport Expressway to improve traffic safety and ease travel time to and from Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
“One of the key drivers of economic growth is a network of high-quality roads. The NLEX Corp. through NLEX, SCTEX [Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway] and the soon-to-be expanded SFEX not only intends to accelerate development but also hopes to encourage travel convenience and road safety,” NLEX president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista said.
The SFEX capacity expansion project involves the construction of two additional expressway lanes, two new bridges at Jadjad and Argonaut and a new tunnel. This will increase road capacity from one lane in each direction to two lanes in each direction.
The new bridges and a tunnel will be constructed parallel to the existing ones. The new tunnel resembles a horseshoe that will provide structural stability against earth pressure.
It also involves the installation of expressway-standard LED lights as a part of the tollway company’s efforts to improve motorists’ visibility when driving at night; the raising of Maritan Highway-Rizal Highway-Tipo Road junction; and the enhancement of the drainage system to help alleviate flooding in the area.
Target for completion by September 2020, the SFEX Capacity Expansion is seen to enhance accessibility and promote travel efficiency on the key road that connects Bataan and Zambales. It is also expected to boost Subic’s competitiveness in trade and tourism industries.
“The project will help sustain Subic’s position as a globally competitive trade and tourism hub,” said SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma.
“This road expansion will complement SBMA’s infrastructure development program and promotion of Subic as an ideal shipping gateway for businesses in Central and North Luzon,” Eisma said.
NLEX is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
