NLEx operator allots P15B for 2024 to ease gridlocks

CHRISTMAS RUSH In this December 2022 file photo, vehicles along the northbound lane of North Luzon Expressway slow down approaching Lawang Bato, Valenzuela, due to heavy
volume. —CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE

MANILA  -The operator of North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) is earmarking P15 billion in capital expenditures for next year for its road widening and other expansion projects.

NLEx Corp. Pesident J. Luigi Bautista told reporters in an interview they were ramping up the construction of the 3rd Candaba viaduct at NLEx and lane expansion of the road linking San Fernando, Pampanga and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

The 5-kilometer viaduct—linking Apalit, Pampanga and Pulilan, Bulacan—will be built between the two existing viaducts, expanding road capacity. The P7.89-billion project would allow for an increase in speed limit at the expressway to 60 to 80 km per hour (kph) from the current 40 to 60 kph.

The project is about 30-percent complete and is on track to be operational by November next year, according to Bautista. Groundbreaking was held in June.

San Fernando congestion

For the P5.5-billion road widening project, Bautista said they were eyeing to start construction by the first quarter of 2024. It will take about two years to complete the expansion. “One of the pain points in NLEx is the traffic congestion from San Fernando all the way to SCTEx,” the official told reporters last week.

NLEx Corp. has submitted the proposal to the Toll Regulatory Board.

Alongside this, the tollway company is also awaiting the acquisition of up to 95-percent right-of-way for the P1.3-billion Segment 8.2 project before starting construction. The progress is currently at 68 percent.

Manila port area

“If they’re (Department of Public Works and Highway) able to get right-of-way by the first quarter next year, we can also plan to start by first quarter next year,” Bautista said.

The expressway is an 8.3-km road passing through Mindanao Avenue, Quirino Highway, Regalado Avenue and Congressional Avenue.

Another project in the pipeline is the 15-km NLEx-Cavitex (Manila-Cavite Expressway) Port Expressway Link. Motorists will be given a route from Cavite to Manila port area once it is completed. According to DPWH, it has a project cost of P92 billion.

In October, the toll concessionaire opened the entire stretch of the 8-km NLEx Connector, which traverses Caloocan, España and Sta. Mesa. INQ