MABALACAT CITY—The new access ramps to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) in Barangay Mabiga here, which formed part of the Mabiga interchange, were opened to motorists on Thursday by officials of Nlex Corp.
A week earlier on February 9, Nlex opened the new exit ramp of the North Luzon Expressway in Barangay Santa Ines here, paving the way for a more convenient travel for motorists heading to Magalang and Concepcion towns.
The now-complete Mabiga diamond interchange eliminated the U-turn slot located 100 meters from the Nlex entrance in the said barangay for motorists going to the SCTEx.
During the Balitaan media forum organized by the Capampangan in Media Inc. in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. at the Bale Balita here on Friday, Nlex Senior Executive Raul Ignacio said now up for implementation, will be the upgrading of the City of San Fernando southbound exit which will be expanded with two more lanes.
Ignacio said also being studied are the toll plaza expansions in Angeles City, Mexico and City of San Fernando (CSF), as well as Nlex Phase 3, a 38-kilo-meter 2×2-lane alternate route from the lahar affected and congested Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo road. It will have six interchanges in Santo Tomas, MacArthur, Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao and Dinalupihan.
Ignacio said Nlex Phase 3 will cost P200 billion and is seen to be completed in 2022.
Meanwhile, the newly opened access ramps here will enhance the traffic flow in the interchanges due to the provision of direct access for vehicles which eliminates traffic, faster delivery of goods and services, as well as enhanced safety for motorists, Ignacio added.
Ignacio said the widening of the 336-meter northbound exit ramp of the San Fernando interchange with a cost of P28 million started last January 15 and will be completed on March 14.
This will mean a higher vehicle capacity of the exit ramp resulting in faster transactions at the toll plaza, less time in queuing and enhanced safety, he added.