First 5-km section of NLEX Connector to be finished this year

NLEX Corporation is looking to complete and commence several major road projects within the second half of 2022. With its commitment to laying the groundwork for more infrastructure developments and enhancements, it's no surprise the company is eyeing its completion as soon as possible.

Among the projects are the NLEX Connector, the first 2-km section of the NLEX C5 Link Mindanao Avenue – Quirino Highway, and the Candaba Third Viaduct.

Beginning with the connector project, NLEX Corporation said that the first 5-km section of the elevated roadway is now 70% complete. The first 5-km portion will link the Caloocan and Espana interchanges of the elevated expressway. Meanwhile, work on the remaining 3-km Sta. Mesa segment already started late last year.

Once it's finished, the entire elevated road will extend the expressway southward from NLEX Harbor Link Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road, Espana Boulevard, R. Magsaysay Boulevard, all the way to Sta. Mesa, Manila. Around 35,000 motorists are expected to benefit from this new expressway which will run mostly above the entire alignment of the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

The connector project aims to provide the supply chain and logistics sector with a more efficient and truck ban-free route. It will bypass roads such as C5 and EDSA and is set to improve accessibility to international airports such as NAIA and Clark.

The tollway company also plans to start construction of the first 2-km segment of the NLEX C5 Link section between Mindanao Avenue toll plaza and Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Quezon City. In its entirety, the upcoming road will span a total of 11.5-km and will traverse Mindanao Avenue, Quirino Highway, Regalado Avenue, Congressional Avenue, and C.P. Garcia Avenue in Quezon City.

When completed, it's estimated that it will reduce travel time between Mindanao Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue to just 10 minutes instead of the usual 45 minutes.

Last but not least is the Candaba Third Viaduct project which NLEX Corporation expects to be completed in 24 months. The project will see the expansion of the 5-km bridge from having three lanes without a shoulder to three lanes with inner and out shoulder portions per direction. Aside from making travel safer and more convenient, the expansion project, once completed, will also translate to faster journeys as it will increase the maximum speed at the viaduct from 60 km/h to 80 km/h.

With NLEX Corp. looking to complete and start work on several projects, we sure hope they will be able to get things done (and started) this year.