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Work on the P23.2 billion, 8-km NLEX Connector project is 45% done and should be finished by yearend
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Right-of-way acquisition is 87% accomplished
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The Department of Public Works and Highways commits to turn over the remaining ROW by June
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The 5.15-km Section 1 has a 64.5% completion rate and the 2.75-km Section 2, 3.1%
Construction of the P23.2 billion 8-kilometer NLEX Connector is 45% complete and is expected to be finished by yearend, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Right-of-way (ROW) acquisition is also 87% done, according to Public Works and Highways undersecretary Rafael Yabut. “The DPWH team is committed to turn over by June 2022 the remaining right-of-way so we can complete this road by yearend,” he said during a recent inspection of the Sta. Mesa section, where work began this February.
The 5.15-km Section 1 from C3, Caloocan to España, Manila is now 64.5% complete while the 2.75-km Section 2 from España to Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila, is 3.1% done.
NLEX Connector extends the North Luzon Expressway southward from the Caloocan Interchange on C3, traverses España Boulevard and R. Magsaysay Boulevard, and connects to the Skyway Stage 3 near PUP Sta. Mesa.
A public-private partnership project of the DPWH and tollway company NLEX Corp., the elevated expressway is seen as a long-term solution to traffic congestion in Metro Manila, benefitting thousands of motorists and commuters, especially on major thoroughfares such as EDSA and C5.
The NLEX Connector is part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network and will run above the Philippine National Railway tracks. The PNR ROW is being shared by the NLEX Connector and the North-South Commuter Railway tracks, which are also under construction.
The NLEX Connector will be an integrated expressway link between the NLEX and Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, significantly cutting travel time from NLEX to Southern Luzon by at least 60%.
As expressways are not covered by the truck ban, the NLEX Connector can accommodate Class 3 vehicles or large trucks. It is seen to significantly improve the mobility of truckers and accessibility of Manila’s ports, as well as Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport.
When completed, the elevated road will reduce travel time from NLEX to South Luzon Expressway to just 20 minutes and benefit at least 35,000 motorists/vehicles per day.
Using the four-lane toll road, travel time from Clark to Calamba will also be reduced from approximately 3 hours to 1 hour and 40 minutes.
