NLEX opens 2 lanes on Pampanga segment

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – North-bound motorists passing through the DauSta. Ines segment of the North Luzon Expressway ( NLEX) can now travel faster, safer and more conveniently with the inauguration of additional two lanes on Friday.

Rodrigo Franco, president and chief executive officer of the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) said the DauSta. Ines segment was converted into a two-lane, two-way road from being a one-lane, one-way route.

The NLEX segment can now accommodate more vehicles and traffic is expected to improve.

Franco said the construction of the four-kilometer, two-way lane segment cost P235 million.

The construction started in March and set for completion next year. The MNTC and its contractor fast- tracked it in time for the holiday season.

Franco said fare toll hike petitions for 2012, 2014 and September this year have been submitted to the Toll Regulatory Board ( TRB), which has yet to act on the matter.

“That is why no toll hikes were applied during the said period,” Franco said.

He said the TRB slashed the toll rates in 2006 and 2008.

Meanwhile, MNTC chief operating officer Raul Ignacio said that all major road works in the expressway would be temporarily suspended starting Dec. 15 to ease traffic.