NLEX set to roll out more big-ticket projects this year

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX Corp., the concessionaire for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), is gearing up to finish a number of big-ticket projects this year following completion of more than 20 projects in 2018.

“Continuous improvement, whether in infrastructure or service, has been and will always be our focus. 2019 will be even better for everyone as big-ticket projects are set for completion this year,”  Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) president and CEO Rodrigo Franco said.

Among the projects eyed for completion this year are the additional toll lanes in San Fernando, Mexico and Angeles; the expanded connecting ramps of NLEX-SCTEX, the new NLEX drive and dine service facility; and the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, an elevated expressway that is designed to provide direct access between the Manila Port and the northern provinces of Luzon via NLEX.

The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is slated to open this month after its scheduled opening in December did not push through.

Last year, NLEX completed more than 20 projects in both NLEX and SCTEX which were aimed at decongesting traffic and enhancing services to motorists.

“2018 was a productive year for us as we were able to build more roads that helped us provide travel convenience and establish stronger relationships with our stakeholders,” Franco said.

Franco said among the notable projects the company wrapped up last year were the new Mabiga Interchange, Sta. Ines-Magalang Exit, and the additional lane in San Fernando Northbound Exit.

NLEX has made the Mabiga into a full diamond interchange by building new access ramps with entry and exit toll plazas and constructed the Sta.Ines-Magalang Exit to provide direct access to local roads in Magalang, Pampanga.

It also added one lane at the San Fernando Northbound Exit which has since prevented traffic bottlenecks especially during rush hours.

A new pedestrian and tricycle overpass in Mapulang Lupa was also built to ease mounting traffic issues at Valenzuela Interchange and improve mobility of commuters coming to and from barangays Paso de Blas and Mapulang Lupa.

The Mindanao Avenue, which has grown to be a busy thoroughfare and has provided motorists a convenient alternative entry and exit to NLEX, was equipped with three new traffic lights to accommodate left-turning vehicles from NLEX going to Valenzuela and provide safer travel to those bound for the service roads, especially during nighttime.

MPTC, the tollways arm of MPIC, is the holding company of NLEX and SCTEX.