MNTC eyes NLEX-SCTEX integration in March

MANILA, Philippines - A unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is looking to complete the P650 million North Luzon Expressway – Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Integration Project before the Holy Week.

In an email to reporters, Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) said the completion of the integration of the tollways is aimed for the Holy Week to provide ease and convenience to motorists. “Now that the project is 85 percent complete, smoother and more enjoyable trips to the North will be experienced before the Holy Week,” MNTC said.

The integration project is seen to provide a seamless travel experience to motorists by bringing to SCTEX the NLEX’s world-class toll collection system.

The project will also reduce the toll plaza stops to two instead of five from Balintawak to Subic and back, and two instead of four from Balintawak to Tarlac and back.

The physical barriers between the two tollways will likewise be removed, so motorists will not have to stop at Dau and Mabalacat which are both to be converted into pass-through lanes.

During last year’s Holy Week rush, almost 230,000 vehicles had a foretaste of the integration with the implementation of the express exit scheme.

A surge in volume of vehicles passing through the tollways is anticipated for the Holy Week.

Other enhancements are being undertaken on the SCTEX in preparation for the Holy Week.

To enhance security and safety of motorists, closed-circuit television cameras, emergency call boxes, lights and reflectorized strips are being installed along the expressway.