Photo credit: Department of Public Works and Highways
It’s all systems go for the Sta. Mesa Section of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) - South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Connector Road Project seen to cut to just 20 minutes the two (2) hours travel time between the two (2) expressways.
Public Works Secretary Roger "Oging" Mercado, together with Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation President and CEO Rodrigo Franco, NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi Bautista, China Road and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) Branch General Manager Ren Xiaopeng led on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 2.75km Section 2 of the elevated expressway spanning España, Manila to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
“This section will pave the way to connect NLEX and SLEX through the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, benefitting at least 35,000 motorists per day and boosting economic activities in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and the surrounding areas in the North and South”, announced Secretary Mercado.
Secretary Mercado added that the 5-km Manila Section of the NLEX-SLEX Connector, which started in May 2019, is now 54.27% complete and is expected to be completed by the second half of 2022 while the Sta. Mesa Section will open by early 2023.
NLEX Corporation, which operates NLEx and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway, earlier signed an agreement with CRBC for the civil works contract of the elevated road that traverses portions of the Philippine National Railways right-of-way to provide a viable 24/7 route for truckers and an alternate route between NAIA and Clark airports.
For its part, NLEX Corp President Luigi Bautista maintained their commitment to participate in the infrastructure development that supports jobs and business opportunities as well as pave the way for better services through the ‘Build, Build, Build’ Program.
The groundbreaking and contract signing ceremony was also participated by DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut; DPWH Undersecretary for Planning, PPP and Information Management Service Maria Catalina E. Cabral; DPWH Public-Private Partnership Service Director Alex Bote; PNR General Manager Junn Magno and Assistant General Manager Celeste Lauta; Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Alvin Caraullo; CRBC Marketing Manager Haiyan Mo; and NLEX Corp Vice President for Tollway Development and Engineering Nemesio Castillo and Chief Finance Officer Maria Theresa Wells.
Article courtesy of Department of Public Works and Highways
