NLEX Corp. said Wednesday it expects the full opening of the Candaba 3rd Viaduct—a five-kilometer viaduct built between two existing bridges connecting the towns of Pulilan, Bulacan and Apalit, Pampanga by December.
“This project would not be possible without the support of both our public and private partners; thus, we deem it fit to give some of our valued stakeholders a glimpse of this vital infrastructure,” NLEX president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista said.
The Construction of the 3rd viaduct began in the third quarter of 2023 as part of the company’s decongestion program.
Originally targeted to be completed in 22 months, NLEX and its construction partner Leighton Contractors (Asia) Ltd. worked tirelessly to improve the road’s safety and serviceability, fast-tracking the construction four months ahead of schedule.
The zone 1 or the Pulilan section opened to the public in August 2024, while the zone 2 in Apalit became operational in October. Once fully completed, it will enable greater mobility for motorists and businesses, boosting socio-economic growth.
“Despite the numerous typhoons that challenged us during construction, we remain committed to delivering this project before the Christmas holiday rush,” Bautista said.
“At NLEX, we recognize the increasing traffic demand in the country, which is why we have lined up various enhancement and expansion projects like the Candaba 3rd Viaduct, to address these concerns and provide an improved travel experience for our motorists,” he said.
Serving as a vital link between Metro Manila, Central and Northern Luzon, the new bridge is expected to address the growing traffic demand in the north, contributing to tourism, trade and commerce across regions.
NLEX Corp. is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).
