Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that the NLEX-SLEX Connector project is now halfway finished at 45 percent.
NLEX-SLEX Connector is now halfway complete
The 5.15-km Section 1, which spans from C3, Caloocan to España, Manila, is now 64.5 percent complete. Meanwhile, the 2.75-km Section 2 from España, Manila to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila is now 3.1 percent complete. Efforts to acquire right-of-way are currently underway to fast-track the construction of the expressway project.
“Right now, we have accomplished 87 percent right-of-way acquisition for the entire project. The DPWH team is committed to turn over by June 2022 the remaining right-of-way so we can complete this road by yearend,” said DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael Yabut.
The NLEX-SLEX Connector is a P23.2-billion project that was launched to mainly alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila, especially in major thoroughfares such as EDSA and C5. It will also serve trucks as the expressway is not covered by the truck ban policy, allowing Class 3 vehicles to traverse.
An inspection was recently conducted DPWH and NLEX Corporation
According to the government agency, the expressway project is expected to accommodate around 35,000 motorists daily. The travel time between the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is seen to reduce to just 20 minutes (from two hours). In addition, motorists can expect a one-hour and 40-minute drive between Clark and Calamba (from three hours).
“Our team is working together with the government partners so we can deliver this project on schedule. We are anticipating that once this elevated expressway opens, around 35,000 motorists will further experience convenience and be spared from the traffic in congested city roads,” said NLEX Corporation Vice President for Tollway Development and Engineering Nemesio Castillo.
Now that the NLEX-SLEX Connector is almost halfway complete, one can expect that the entirety of the expressway project will meet its slated opening in the third quarter of 2023. It is seen not only to provide faster routes but also to stimulate economic development in Metro Manila.
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