ROW issues face NLEX extension

MANILA, Philippines — North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. is facing right of way (ROW) challenges in delivering a P12-billion extension project seen to benefit 45,000 motorists every day.

According to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started acquiring the ROW for the P11.5-billion NLEX Segment 8.2.

However, the TRB said there are differing positions regarding the entitlement of people affected by the project, an issue the DPWH is trying to resolve with local government units.

In 2020, the TRB approved NLEX Corp.’s proposal to proceed with the construction of the initial section of the extension project. Since then, however, the project was stuck in ROW acquisition.

NLEX Segment 8.2 will extend NLEX from Segment 8.1 in Mindanao Avenue up to C.P. Garcia Avenue in Quezon City. The project is made up of three segments: Section 1A, from Mindanao Avenue to Quirino Highway; Section 1B, to Regalado Avenue; and Section 1C, to Congressional Avenue.

According to the DPWH, the extension is expected to cut travel time from Mindanao Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue to just 10 minutes from 45 minutes.

Also, the project is estimated to benefit at least 45,000 motorists every day, providing them with an alternative route in reaching one of the busiest roads in Metro Manila.

On the other hand, the TRB said that NLEX Corp. has completed 87 percent of its repair works in the Candaba Viaduct as of Feb. 20 and plans to finish rehabilitation within March.

NLEX Corp., for its part, announced that it will conclude its solar power project within the year. The initiative to turn to solar panels for energy will generate monthly electricity of up to 22,762 kilowatts per hour in NLEX and 13,961 kWh in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

NLEX Corp. is installing in 21 NLEX tolls and 15 SCTEX tolls monocrystalline solar panels that collect sunlight and convert them into electricity through photovoltaic cells. Prior to this, NLEX Corp. has placed solar panels in various sections of NLEX and SCTEX to kick off the shift.

NLEX Corp. president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista said the toll operator will intensify its use of sustainable energy, including in CCTV cameras and road lighting, in line with efforts to transition to renewable power.

NLEX Corp. is a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the toll road development arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.