PHP 7.89-billion Candaba 3rd Viaduct project has begun

It’s official, NLEX Corporation has commenced work on the new 5-km Candaba 3rd Viaduct Project between Pampanga and Bulacan. The construction is meant to improve the safety and mobility of motorists.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesteday by key members of the government, DPWH, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), and NLEX Corporation. These included House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Alvin Carullo, Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, DPWH Region 3 Director Roseller Tolentino, MPTC president Rogelio L. Singson, and NLEX Corporation president J. Luigi L. Bautista.

The target completion date of the PHP 7.89 billion infrastructure project is November 2024 and will involve the construction of a new bridge in the middle of the two existing viaducts. Once finished, NLEX Corp. says this will increase the road capacity and safety of the entire Candaba Viaduct from three lanes without shoulders to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders along each direction.

Rogelio L. Singson of MPTC

“This project will not only increase the capacity of the 5-km Candaba Viaduct but will ultimately improve safety and convenience of the motorists, as well as aid in the acceleration and growth of trade and commerce in Central Luzon,” said Singson.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Romualdez stressed the importance of the new bridge to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce travel time for the commuters and motorists that rely on the vital link daily.

As for Bautista, the NLEX Corp. president highlighted the importance of the project in order to make traveling along the said viaduct safer and easier. In addition, the construction of the 3rd Candaba Viaduct is necessary as the current structures are already aging and operating at reduced capacity.

J. Luigi L. Bautista of NLEX Corporation

“This new mobility project will offer easy journeys and make travel safer for the public traveling between Metro Manila and Central and North Luzon as there will be a new structure to augment the existing ones and will safely allow the speed limit to increase to 60 to 80 kilometers per hour from the current 40 to 60 kilometers per hour,” shared Bautista.

The executive also assured the motoring public that their travel comfort will not be sacrificed as the majority of the works will not affect the current operations and traffic flow in the two existing viaducts.

With the Candaba Viaduct serving as a vital link for motorists traveling between Metro Manila and the provinces in Central and Northern Luzon for over 50 years now, the addition of a third viaduct means the key infrastructure will be able to serve more motorists while also delivering safety and added vehicle capacity.