A drive from Malolos, Bulacan to Talisay, Batangas used to take three to four hours. With the imminent opening of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector Road, the traveling time from North Luzon to South Luzon will be drastically reduced. Malolos to Talisay could possibly be a two-hour drive soon. Moreover, what used to be a 1.5 to two hour travel time can be reduced to 15 to 20 minutes.
8 km elevated expressway
The NLEX Connector Road is an elevated, four-lane toll expressway that spans eight kilometers. It extends the NLEX southward from the end of Segment 10 in C3 Road (5th Ave.) in Caloocan to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila which, in turn, will connect to Skyway Stage 3. It has two sections.
Section 1 (España) traverses the Caloocan interchange in C3 Road and España Boulevard, having a distance of 5.15 kilometers, and is 97 percent complete, as of this writing. On the other hand, Section 2 (Sta. Mesa) stretches from España to Magsaysay Boulevard up to the vicinity of PUP in Sta. Mesa, having a distance of 2.75 kilometers and is currently 35 percent complete. The project includes two interchanges located at C3 Road/5th Avenue in Caloocan and España Boulevard in Manila. It mostly traverses the Philippine National Railways tracks.
Objectives and benefits
The primary objective of the NLEX Connector Road is to decongest Metro Manila traffic, especially in major thoroughfares such as España, Abad Santos, Rizal Avenue, and Lacson Avenue.
With the improved efficiency of the transport networks in Manila, the surplus chain and logistics sector will be boosted, stimulating development in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and their surrounding areas, including the northern and southern provinces.
Traffic will be alleviated by diverting trucks from heavily congested roads to the Connector Road, which they can use 24/7. The local government units (LGUs) are also given the opportunity to develop bike lanes, tricycle lanes, and pedestrian lanes for safer travel. Another benefit of this project includes better access to Manila Ports (North Harbor) and airports (NAIA and Clark).
Redevelopments
Apart from these benefits, some places will undergo redevelopments, as well, including Magsaysay Boulevard in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Moreover, existing eastbound and westbound service roads will be rehabilitated together with the improvement of the Philippine National Railway. Other improvements include the relocation of electric posts, decommissioning of the Magsaysay flyover, and traffic signalization of the Magsaysay Boulevard intersection.
The NLEX Connector Road Project is under a concessionaire agreement with NLEX and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It is still under construction, with its first section from Caloocan to España set to open within the first quarter of the year. Once complete, it will connect Metro Manila to the Luzon Spine Network and connect the North to South Expressway Loop. The NLEX Connector will also benefit at least 35,000 motorists daily and will spur economic development in Manila and the nearby provinces.
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JP Ordoña (Manilakad) leads Manilakad Walks in Intramuros, Binondo, Quiapo and more. Let him guide you to several walking destinations in Manila. Manilakad (JP Ordoña) can be reached on Facebook Messenger or through text at 0916-3597888.
