NLEX Corp. said Tuesday it will invest in major expansion and enhancement projects this year that will further contribute to the country’s economic growth.
NLEX president J. Luigi Bautista said these major projects, which are geared towards improving mobility, safety and connectivity for motorists are the NLEX Connector and Candaba Third Viaduct.
The entire NLEX Connector stretches eight kilometers starting from Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
It is seen to decongest major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. Its first section between Caloocan and España interchanges is at 94-percent completion and expected to open in the first quarter of the year.
The second section, connecting España and Sta. Mesa, is now 29-percent complete.
Part of the construction of the second segment is the redevelopment of the Magsaysay Boulevard that features on and off ramps in Magsaysay and Sta. Mesa, improving portions of the local road network such as Osmeña Highway, Nagtahan, Rizal Avenue Extension, G. Araneta Ave. and A. Bonifacio Ave. It will also enable easier travel to various areas like Manila City Hall, Quiapo Church, University Belt, Intramuros, Rizal Park, Gilmore, Cubao and San Juan.
The construction of Candaba Third Viaduct is also set to commence in the first quarter of 2023.
The project will expand the five-kilometer bridge from existing three lanes without shoulder to three lanes with inner and outer shoulder per direction. Aside from making travels safer and more convenient, the new bridge, once finished, will also enable faster journeys as it will increase the maximum speed at the viaduct from 60 kph to 80 kph.
Also in the pipeline is the construction of new expressway lanes in Pampanga from San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Mabalacat.
Apart from building new roads, NLEX is looking to enhance its assets for better customer experience by undertaking the regular pavement repair and bridge strengthening programs, replacement of traffic safety devices and continuous enhancement of its toll systems. It is also set to install more closed-circuit television cameras along NLEX, SCTEX and SFEX and upgrade the NLEX-SCTEX traffic control center.
To reduce its carbon footprint, NLEX will start using electric vehicles in its operations.
These EVs, which will be used by NLEX-SCTEX patrol crews, intend to drive decarbonization as part of the MVP Group’s thrust towards sustainability. The tollway company will also continue this year its resource-saving initiatives of harnessing solar power in select toll plazas.
NLEX reported last year finishing the road-raising project in SCTEX, upgrading of Pampanga bridges, improvement of Balintawak Cloverleaf, enhancements in infrastructure, toll collection system and account management system.
