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This quarter, the NLEX Connector’s first section between the Caloocan and España interchanges is expected to open to vehicles while construction of the Candaba Third Viaduct is set to begin
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Work on that section of the NLEX Connector is 94% complete
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The second section connecting España and Sta. Mesa is now 29% complete
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The Candaba Third Viaduct will expand the five-kilometer bridge from the existing three lanes without shoulder to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders each direction
The first section of the NLEX Connector between the Caloocan and España interchanges is expected to open in the first quarter while construction of the Candaba Third Viaduct is about to begin, tollway operator NLEX Corp. said in a statement.
The NLEX Connector’s first section is 94% complete and the second section connecting España and Sta. Mesa 29% done, it added.
The entire NLEX Connector stretches 8 kilometers, starting from the Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Construction of the second segment includes redevelopment of Magsaysay Boulevard that features on and off ramps on Magsaysay and Sta. Mesa Boulevards, improving portions of the local road network, such as Osmeña Highway, Nagtahan, Rizal Avenue Extension, G. Araneta Avenue, and A. Bonifacio Avenue.
The second segment will enable easier travel to various areas, such as Manila City Hall, Quiapo Church, University Belt, Intramuros, Rizal Park, Gilmore Avenue, Cubao, and San Juan.
Designed to cater to all vehicle classes including trucks, the NLEX Connector is expected to significantly improve travel for motorists, especially those in the logistics sector, as the new road will shorten travel time for cargoes.
The project is estimated to benefit at least 35,000 vehicles per day and is seen to improve connectivity between airports and seaports. It will also cut travel time from the North Luzon Expressway to the South Luzon Expressway to 20 minutes from the usual two hours. Likewise, it will reduce travel time from Clark to Calamba to about 1 hour and 40 minutes from three hours at present.
The construction of the Candaba Third Viaduct along NLEX, meanwhile, is also set to start this first quarter. The project will expand the 5km bridge from the existing three lanes without shoulders to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders each direction.
Aside from making travel safer and more convenient, the new bridge, once completed, will speed up journeys as it will increase the maximum speed on the viaduct from 60kms per hour to 80 kph.
NLEX Corp. has said it will expedite work on the third viaduct to finish it by the fourth quarter of 2024.
The tollway operator last year began an urgent major safety upgrade on the southbound lanes of the Candaba Viaduct after an inspection and reassessment showed it was adversely affected by heavy loads.
The upgrade required a temporary ban on all vehicles weighing 33 tons (12-wheelers and up) from using the southbound lanes of the Candaba Viaduct until a new viaduct is completed.
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