President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated a new section of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)-C5 Northlink project on Oct. 29, reducing travel time between Quezon City and Valenzuela City from 40 minutes to five minutes, while announcing a proposed P120-billion elevated road linking Balintawak and Bocaue, Bulacan.
The newly opened two-kilometer NLEX-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 Section 1A connects Quirino Highway in Quezon City to the NLEX Mindanao Toll Plaza in Valenzuela City, providing motorists with an alternative route to major destinations in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon.
Marcos announced that motorists could use the new expressway section toll-free until the end of 2026.
The segment will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, accommodate all vehicle classes and is expected to serve approximately 11,000 vehicles daily.
The opening comes ahead of the anticipated increase in traffic during the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day holidays.
The new road provides motorists traveling from Quirino Highway with direct access to the NLEX Connector, offering an alternative route to Manila, the University Belt and nearby cities while helping reduce traffic congestion along EDSA.
Northbound motorists can also use the new section to reach the NLEX Mindanao Toll Plaza and connect to the NLEX mainline toward Central Luzon.
The route also provides access to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), improving connectivity to other destinations in Northern Luzon.
The additional road link is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods, improve transport efficiency and support logistics and economic activities.
P120B elevated road project
During the inauguration, Marcos announced a proposed P120-billion elevated road project that will connect Balintawak in Quezon City to Bocaue, Bulacan.
The project will be undertaken by the MVP Group in coordination with the San Miguel Corp. (SMC) Group, following the president's call for the two business groups to work together to expand the country's road network and provide motorists with alternative routes.
Marcos said the elevated road would extend through the NLEX-Meycauayan area, providing an additional route alongside the existing highway.
He described the investment as a significant development in the government's efforts to improve traffic flow, reduce travel time and transportation costs, and make daily commutes more convenient for workers.
The president said he had encouraged the two groups to coordinate their infrastructure investments to expand available routes and improve the commuting experience.
The proposed project adds to the administration's efforts to attract private-sector investment in transportation infrastructure and address congestion along major roads connecting Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.
Part of 11.3-kilometer project
Section 1A forms part of the 11.3-kilometer NLEX-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 project, which will eventually extend from Mindanao Avenue to C5/C.P. Garcia near Katipunan Avenue.
Once completed, the project is expected to improve connectivity between northern and southern Luzon through the eastern side of Metro Manila, providing motorists with additional routes that bypass heavily congested urban roads.
The NLEX-C5 Northlink is being developed under a public-private partnership arrangement between the government and NLEX Corp., a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC).
Under the arrangement, the Toll Regulatory Board serves as the government grantor, while NLEX Corp. acts as the private concessionaire responsible for the project.
Joining Marcos during the inauguration were Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez, MPTC Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, MPTC President and Chief Executive Officer Gilbert Santa Maria, NLEX Corp. President and General Manager Luis Reñon, and Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Jayart Tugade.
Marcos also inspected the ongoing construction of Phase 1 of the Metro Manila Subway Project and received updates on its progress.
