NLEX Corp. said over the weekend it completed the P1.6 -billion capacity expansion of the 8.2-kilometer Subic Freeport Expressway that will accelerate business activities and flow of goods and services between the economic zones of Clark and Subic.
“This fresh Metro Pacific Tollways infrastructure investment will improve mobility, accelerate the country’s economic recovery and more importantly, support the logistics and supply chain we urgently need. Around 10,000 motorists daily will benefit from this new road,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.
The DPWH and NLEX opened the expansion project to the public on Feb. 19.
NLEX embarked on the P1.6-billion expansion project to increase the expressway capacity from a single two-way carriageway to a double carriageway with dedicated lanes in each direction. A total of 16.4 new lane kilometers, two new bridges in Jadjad and Argonaut and a new tunnel were constructed.
The company also installed international standard LED lights, raised the elevation of the Maritan Highway-Rizal Highway-Tipo Road junction and enhanced the area’s drainage system.
“We continued the construction of the new expressway despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and the stringent health protocols. The construction project also provided jobs and supported the livelihood of our people. It was also our way of helping our countrymen manage the economic impact of the health crisis,” said NLEX president Luigi Bautista.
“MPTC and NLEX continue to stand with the government in its commitment to improve the lives of Filipinos through infrastructure projects such as this,” he said.
The expressway expansion will help spur investments and boost tourism in Subic Freeport, benefitting thousands of locators and other business owners. It is eyed to complement SBMA’s infrastructure rehabilitation and development program.
NLEX partially opened the new expressway on Dec. 28 to serve motorists during the holiday season. A series of road safety audits showed that the completed project is compliant with expressway standards and ready to be fully opened to the motoring public.
Other ongoing projects of NLEX Corp. are the 8-km NLEX Connector and the Candaba Viaduct Upgrade.
NLEX Corp. is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the toll road unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.