NLEX Corp. will start next month the full-blast construction of the P14-billion Nlex Connector, a critical section of the North Luzon Expressway that will cut travel time between the northern and southern portions of Luzon to just 20 minutes from over two hours.
Luigi Bautista, the company’s president, said the contractor, the DMCI Group, will start bringing in heavy and big equipment for board piling in the Caloocan to España section of the Nlex Connector in March. This will signify the start of the construction works for the link road.
“The intention is to complete the project next year,” he said. “This is the first section, which is around 4 kilometers between Caloocan and España.”
The section which runs from España to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, will be auctioned off to another contractor soon. Nlex Corp. is now prequalifying as many as seven contractors for the project.
Public Works (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar noted that his group is making strides in the acquisition of the right-of-way for the Nlex Connector.
He said the first section is now at “75-percent” acquired, while the whole alignment’s easement is at “35-percent” acquired.
The Nlex Connector spans 8 kilometers from the new Caloocan Interchange to the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, linking Nlex to the South Luzon Expressway (Slex).
Upon full completion in 2021, the Nlex Connector will significantly cut travel time from Nlex to Slex by at least 60 percent. Instead of the usual two hours, travel time will be reduced to about 20 minutes.
It will also provide improved accessibility for cargo trucks bound for the Manila ports and the international airports.
Aside from solving the traffic congestion in several Manila roads, the Nlex Connector is also expected to stimulate economic development in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas, as well as its surrounding areas. It is expected to handle roughly 35,000 motorists daily, especially cargo trucks.