Expanded NLEX makes seamless travel faster for motorists
With 64 new lanes and a number of bridges, motorists can look forward to a faster, more seamless travel and less congested roads when the new expressway lanes at the North Luzon Expressway ( NLEX) open to the public soon.
The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), concessionaire of the NLEX, has announced that the P2.6-billion capacity expansion projects will open 64 new lane-kilometers in order to ease traffic congestion in the section between Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan and San Fernando City. When finished, expressway road capacity will be expanded from the existing 2x2 lanes to 3x3 lanes in each direction.
The new projects also include the construction of new expressway lanes on both sides of the five-km long Candaba Viaduct. When completed, the road capacity of the Candaba Viaduct will be expanded for the first time since it was constructed in the ’70s.
MNTC also built a new 2x2, four kilometer expressway in the Mabalacat City portion of the NLEX including two new bridges. This new project, completed in October last year, will segregate northbound and southbound motorists along separate carriageways and promote road safety.
The tollways firm said it is awaiting government approvals, through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), before the new projects are opened to the motoring public.
MNTC president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco said there is an air of excitement among the motorists who stand to benefit from these new NLEX projects as they perceive positive developments upon completion, highlighting the hassle-free travel experience when portions of the new projects were temporarily opened last December for holiday travelers.
“With these new projects, MNTC hopes to encourage more travel convenience and improve public service along this key NLEX section that connects Metro Manila to the provinces in Central and Northern Luzon,” Franco said.
Included in the new NLEX projects are the installation of 800 expressway-standard LED road lighting between the Balagtas section all the way to San Fernando City. MNTC will light up an additional 33 kilometers along the NLEX in keeping with its commitment to promoting motorist safety.
The impending inauguration of the new NLEX projects is believed to help spur further growth in the Central Luzon region, according to Central Luzon Regional Development Council chairman and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan. “This new infrastructure will facilitate more efficient transport of goods and services within the region, thus help bring in more investments and boost tourism development,” Pamintuan said.