PBBM leads inauguration of first 5-km of NLEX Connector

The first 5-km section of the NLEX Connector spanning from Caloocan to Espana has officially been inaugurated. This comes after NLEX Corporation, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as well as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), held a ceremony earlier today on the elevated expressway.

Leading the inauguration was President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. who was accompanied by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, MPTC president Rodrigo Franco, NLEX Corporation president J. Luigi L. Bautista, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, and DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Passing through urbanized areas such as C3 Road/5^th Ave., Blumentritt, and España in Sampaloc, Manila, the first section of NLEX Connector is expected to ease traffic along España Boulevard, Abad Santos Avenue, Rizal Avenue, and Lacson Avenue and provide easier access to several areas, including the University Belt.

Moreover, the elevated expressway is expected to help divert vehicles from heavily congested roads of the capital as the new elevated road can cater to cars, SUVs, buses, pickup trucks, and even motorcycles with 400cc displacements and above.

“The NLEX Connector is expected to spur economic development as it eases Metro Manila’s traffic congestion, increases productivity, improves logistics, and boosts communities. We continue to focus on our goal of delivering infrastructure that will facilitate a greater connection between the north and the south,” said Pangilinan.

With entry and exit ramps at C3 Road and España, the new elevated expressway will reduce travel time between Caloocan and Manila and vice versa to just five minutes. This will help boost productivity and ensure the timely delivery of goods and services. The improved connectivity will also make daily commuting to and from Metro Manila and nearby provinces more efficient.

As for the remaining 3 km segment which will run from Espana to Sta. Mesa, construction is currently at 42%. But once the entire PHP 23 billion NLEX Connector is finished, it will stretch a total of 8 km from Caloocan up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

It's also expected to serve around 35,000 motorists daily, providing better access to Manila ports and airports such as NAIA and Clark International Airport.