First 5-km portion of NLEX Connector 80% finished

Earlier this year, the NLEX Corporation announced that it was looking to complete the first 5-km segment of the NLEX Connector this year. At the time, progress on the first 5-km section of the elevated roadway was already at 70% completion.

Not bad, but with the company looking to finish it this year, are they now closer to completing the first 5-km portion of the elevated roadway? According to NLEX Corporation, they are making good progress.

Recently, the company announced that the first 5-km section of the NLEX Connector between Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road and the future España Interchange in Manila is now 80% complete.

“We are pleased to note that this vital infrastructure project aimed at easing travel achieves another milestone as it reaches 80 percent completion. This inspires optimism for the logistics sector since in a few months’ time, truckers will have a 24/7 alternative route which will enable unimpeded delivery of goods,” said J. Luigi L. Bautista, president and general manager of NLEX Corporation.

This particular segment will have on and off ramps, toll plazas along C3 Road and España Boulevard, and will cross over the Blumentritt Station of LRT-1 and Dimasalang Bridge. It makes use of steel box girders for its curved and highly-elevated sections.

The NLEX Connector is a public-private partnership (PPP) project between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Metro Pacific-led NLEX Corporation. This new road, which is also part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network, offers a much-need recourse to shorten the travel time of cargoes going to and from the north and south of Luzon. It also seeks to improve the mobility of the supply chain and logistics sectors which are integral to the country’s economic growth.

Currently, the DPWH has turned over 91% of the right-of-way (ROW) for the España section and 83% for the 3-km Sta. Mesa section which started work last year.

Once complete, the entire 8-km NLEX Connector will benefit 35,000 motorists and will cater to all vehicle class types. It’s also estimated to significantly reduce travel time from NLEX to South Luzon by at least 60%, as well as enhance the journey between NAIA and Clark International Airport.