Candaba 3rd Viaduct opening set next month

MANILA, Philippines — The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. is targeting to fully open next month a five-kilometer viaduct between two existing bridges connecting the towns of Pulilan in Bulacan and Apalit in Pampanga.

NLEX said the Candaba 3rd Viaduct is currently 97 percent complete.

The project will connect Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon, and address the growing traffic demand in the north.

It is also expected to boost tourism, trade and commerce across regions.

The construction of the viaduct started in the third quarter of 2023 as part of NLEX’s decongestion program.

The project was originally targeted for completion within 22 months.

However, NLEX and its partner, Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited,  fast-tracked the construction to four months ahead of schedule.

“Despite numerous typhoons that challenged us during construction, we remain committed to delivering this project before the Christmas holiday rush,” NLEX president and general manager Luigi 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 improve travel experience for our motorists,” Bautista added.

The project’s  Zone 1, or the Pulilan section,  was opened to the public in August, while Zone 2 in Apalit became operational in October.

NLEX is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the toll road arm of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. –  Ramon Efren Lazaro