NLEX starts P1.6-B SFEX expansion plan

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. unit NLEX Corp. has commenced with the P1.6-billion capacity expansion of the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX), which is expected to further ease travel in and out of the Subic Bay Freeport.

NLEX said two new expressway lanes, including a tunnel and two bridges in Jadjad and Argonaut, are being constructed at the eight-kilometer SFEX to accommodate the growing number of traffic and promote road safety.

Expressway-standard LED lights will be installed to keep the expressway safer for motorists, particularly for those driving at night.

NLEX president and general manager Luigi Bautista the improvements are expected to be completed by September next year.“

“Our company believes that good infrastructure is necessary to expedite delivery of products and boost tourism. These SFEX improvements are all aimed at supporting trade and commerce in Subic and enhancing the travel experience of our motorists,” Bautista said.

Aside from improving the road capacity, the project also involves raising the Maritan Highway-Rizal Highway-Tipo Road junction and enhancing the drainage system to help alleviate flooding in the area.

This part of the project will be done in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by October, in time for Subic’s hosting of 16 sports events in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in November.

In line with the road raising and flood control works, NLEX said one lane of the Maritan-Rizal-Tipo junction has been closed to traffic since July 13 and motorists are being diverted to alternate routes along the Causeway Road and the Argonaut-Kalayaan Access Road.

NLEX and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) appealed for the public’s understanding and patience as the road projects may result in temporary traffic delays and small inconveniences such as dust and noise during construction.

Traversing the provinces of Zambales and Bataan, SFEX runs from Rizal Highway in Subic going towards the former Naval Exchange and Argonaut Highway and ends in Hermosa, Bataan where there is a toll plaza leading to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.