NLEX Corporation said it will complete the first 5-kilometer section of NLEX Connector in the first
quarter next year, with construction almost halfway through.
The NLEX Connector, a P23-billion massive investment, is a major infrastructure project that aims to
alleviate congestion and improve mobility in Metro Manila.
This elevated expressway is a public-private partnership project between Metro Pacific Tollways led-
NLEX Corporation and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“The first section of NLEX Connector from Caloocan Interchange to España Boulevard is nearly halfway
done,” said DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar during the inspection of the project’s Manila segment, adding
that “we are targeting to deliver the full right-of-way (ROW) for this section by next month so we can
further accelerate the project.”
Acknowledging DPWH’s commitment to fast-track the ROW delivery, NLEX Corporation President and
General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista said, “We are pleased that the construction activities are moving
forward with the construction progress standing at 45 percent. Thanks to our government partner,
DPWH, for securing the ROW requirements.”
As the first section of NLEX Connector is being built inside the Philippine National Railways (PNR) ROW
and passes through urbanized areas between Harbor Link-Caloocan Interchange along C3 Road/5th Ave.
and España Blvd. in Sampaloc, Manila, the tollway company continues to tap technology to accelerate
the construction.
NLEX Corporation said it is using the Indonesian technology called Sosrobahu in launching coping beams
or pierheads in certain portions of the NLEX Connector as this rotating device enables the construction
of expressways above existing roads with minimum disturbance to traffic.
“This technology is highly beneficial since it will ramp up the construction progress and most importantly
minimize traffic jams thus reduce economic losses. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing
pandemic, we can expect significant progress in the coming months because of this innovative solution,”
Bautista said.
Aside from the Sosrobahu, NLEX is also using Super T girders to expedite the construction of this vital
infrastructure that will provide trucks with 24/7 alternative route and reduce travel time between NLEX
and South Luzon from two hours to just 20 minutes. Super T girders are innovative, pre-stressed box
girders that are widely used for bridges in Australia and New Zealand. More than 1,400 girders will be
used for the entire project.
“We continue to find opportunities and improve the way we do things to accelerate the construction of
the NLEX Connector. We are optimistic that the construction technology that we are employing will
increase efficiency and boost productivity at the site,” Bautista noted.
NLEX is also utilizing the PNR railway tracks in transporting major structural components from one site
to another as part of its efforts to speed up the construction.
While the NLEX Connector España Section is progressing, the next 3-km elevated section between
España Interchange and the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila
is seen to commence construction within the year.
Once completed, the NLEX Connector will have four toll plazas and interchanges in C3 and España. It is
expected to serve 35,000 motorists daily and provide better access to Manila Ports and airports such as
NAIA and Clark. This will also enable faster transport of goods and services between Metro Manila and
Luzon provinces.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of
the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
