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NLEX Connector
NLEX Connector Road
NLEX–SLEX Connector Road
NLEX Connector Caloocan España 50.jpg
The expressway southbound towards Caloocan Interchange in Caloocan
Route information
Maintained by NLEX Corporation
Length7.7 km[a] (4.8 mi)
  • Section 1 (Caloocan–España): 5.15 km (3.20 mi)
  • Section 2 (España–Magsaysay): 2.55 km (1.58 mi) (under construction)[b]
Existed2019–present
RestrictionsNo motorcycles below 400cc
Major junctions
North end E5 (NLEX Harbor Link) in Caloocan
Major intersections N180 (Magsaysay Boulevard) in Sampaloc and Santa Mesa, Manila
South endMetro Manila Skyway in Santa Mesa, Manila
Location
CountryPhilippines
RegionsMetro Manila
Major citiesCaloocan and Manila
Highway system
  • Roads in the Philippines

NLEX Connector (North Luzon Expressway Connector), also known as the NLEX–SLEX Connector Road (North Luzon Expressway–South Luzon Expressway Connector), NLEX Connector Road, and NLEX Segment 11 during the planning stages,[3] is a 7.7-kilometer (4.8 mi), four-lane elevated expressway in Metro Manila, Philippines. It connects the NLEX Harbor Link to the Metro Manila Skyway, which in turn connect to the North and South Luzon Expressways, respectively, while traversing parallel to the PNR Metro Commuter Line. The highway has five interchanges, four of which is currently operational. Alongside NLEX Harbor Link, trucks are allowed to use it.[1]

Construction began in 2019 and the connector was partially opened in March 2023.[4] Its remaining section up to Santa Mesa is under construction, expected to be completed by end-2024.[1][5][6]

Route description

[edit]

The 7.70-kilometer (4.78 mi) elevated expressway is divided into two sections: Section 1, spanning 5.15 kilometers (3.20 mi) from Caloocan to España, and Section 2, spanning 2.55 kilometers (1.58 mi) from España to Santa Mesa.[1] The maximum speed limit on the expressway is 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) for light vehicles, buses, and vans and 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph) for trucks.[7]

Caloocan to España

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The expressway starts at Caloocan Interchange in Caloocan, branching from NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10. It slightly curves to the west as it approaches Manila, crossing streets such as Hermosa Street and Solis Street in Tondo. It then curves to the east as it runs parallel to Antipolo Street towards Santa Cruz. It then rises up as it passes above the Blumentritt LRT station at Rizal Avenue. It then curves to the southeast, crossing Dimasalang Street, entering Sampaloc, and more streets in the district including España Boulevard, where Section 1 ends.

España to Santa Mesa

[edit]
Section 2 construction near Magsaysay Boulevard (March 2024)

Past España, Section 2 commences. It crosses above more streets in Sampaloc. It then curves as it crosses Magsaysay Boulevard, its current southern terminus, and beneath the viaduct of LRTA's Line 2 system. It would terminate near the Polytechnic University of the Philippines campus in Santa Mesa, where it will be continued by the Skyway 3–NLEX Connector link of Skyway Stage 3.

The original plan of the project was that the alignment would have passed above the Magsaysay Flyover and the LRT Line 2 (LRT-2). However, due to the right-of-way issues pending on the 1-kilometer (0.62 mi) spur of Skyway Stage 3, the awarding of the construction contract to a Chinese company, and revisions, the alignment would later be modified to include the ramps leading to Magsaysay Boulevard and Santa Mesa. The revisions included the plan for the structures to pass under the LRT-2 viaduct while the Magsaysay Flyover was dismantled during construction.

History

[edit]
Section 1 under construction near Blumentritt PNR station (March 2022)

There were several plans to make a highway connecting the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) before. As early as 1993, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a study on the proposed urban expressway system in Metro Manila, wherein both expressways were planned to be connected through various highways along the Radial Road 3, Circumferential Road 3, and Radial Road 9 alignments. The R-10A alignment that would connect C-3 to Tutuban through the Philippine National Railways right-of-way was also included in the plan as well.[8][9][10]

During the latter part of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's presidency, Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPTDC) later offered an unsolicited proposal to build the highway,[11] also known as the NLEX–SLEX Skyway Connector.[12] The feasibility study conducted by JICA was published in 2011.[13] It was originally to run from Circumferential Road 3 in Caloocan to Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati, with a total length of 13 kilometers. However, the southern end was later transferred to Santa Mesa, Manila as the right-of-way of Santa Mesa–Buendia alignment is held by Skyway Stage 3 of the rival Citra Central Expressway Corporation (now SMC Skyway Stage 3 Corporation).

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board led by President Benigno Aquino III conditionally approved the proposal in 2012 after delays due to cost issues on its "common alignment;" it was later approved for the first time in 2013.[14]

In January 2014, a joint venture was signed between Metro Pacific and the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC),[15] and the project was still known as Segment 10.2, but on July 20 of the following year, NEDA-ICC later deferred the approval.[16] The project was re-approved on December 16, 2015, as a public-private partnership (PPP) project.[17] The project was added to Build! Build! Build! Program by the succeeding administration.

Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC, now NLEX Corporation) secured a ₱23.2-billion deal to build, operate, and maintain the highway on July 25, 2016 and were also awarded the concession later on November 23.[18][19] This is the first PPP project that was given the go-ahead by the Duterte administration.[20] It was soon known as the NLEX Connector.[21] It is estimated to cost ₱17 billion, but as an "all-elevated" or completely grade-separated structure, right-of-way acquisition shall be reduced to an estimated cost of only ₱2.41 billion. Its construction takes into consideration the upcoming parallel construction of the southern segment of the North–South Commuter Railway.

President Rodrigo Duterte presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the project on February 28, 2019.[22] DMCI undertook the civil works for Section 1,[21] while China Road and Bridge Corporation handled the construction of Section 2.[23] To make way for the planned section which would traverse below the viaduct of LRTA's Line 2 system, the Magsaysay Flyover along Magsaysay Boulevard was decommissioned in late 2022.[24] The elevated expressway was originally intended to have two interchanges, but during construction, additional ramps in Santa Mesa were included. Section 1 was inaugurated on March 27, 2023, led by President Bongbong Marcos.[25] The expressway was opened toll-free, pending the approval of rates by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

On June 27, 2023, TRB "provisionally" approved toll rates for Section 1.[26] Toll collection on the expressway later began on August 8.[27]

On October 28, 2023 at 12:01 AM (PHT), the initial 1.8-kilometer (1.1 mi) portion of Section 2 from España to Magsaysay was opened to motorists, ahead of the 2023 barangay and SK elections, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day.[2]

Toll

[edit]
España Toll Plaza

As of August 2023, the NLEX Connector employs a barrier toll system, with a fixed toll rate for motorists. Currently, the España Toll Plaza in Sampaloc, Manila, serves as the toll collection point. Similar to other NLEX Corporation expressways, Easytrip Services Corporation operates the electronic toll collection (ETC) system that is fully implemented on this expressway, the first in the Philippines.[28][29]

Tolls are charged based on class; it will eventually be based on distance as well, but it has not been implemented yet until further notice.[2][30] In accordance with the law, all toll rates include a 12% value-added tax. As of October 15, 2024, the toll rates are as follows:[29]

Class Toll
Class 1
(Cars, motorcycles, SUVs, Jeepneys) 		₱119.00
Class 2
(Buses, light trucks) 		₱299.00
Class 3
(Heavy trucks) 		₱418.00

Exits

[edit]

This entire route is located in Metro Manila. Exits will be numbered by kilometer posts, with Rizal Park in Manila designated as kilometer zero. 

ProvinceCity/MunicipalitykmmiExitNameDestinationsNotes
CaloocanCaloocan Interchange E5 (NLEX Harbor Link) – Port of Manila, Mindanao Avenue, TarlacDirectional T interchange; northern terminus; continues north as E5 (NLEX Harbor Link); also connects with the C-3–R-10 section of NLEX Harbor Link
C-3 Road N130 (C-3 Road) / 4th Avenue – CaloocanNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
ManilaEspaña Toll Plaza
España N170 (España Boulevard) / Antipolo Street / Piy Margal Street / P. Florentino Street / S.H. Loyola Street / Fajardo Street / Laon Laan Street – SampalocDiamond interchange; former temporary terminus (March–October 2023); southbound on-ramp and northbound off-ramp unopened
Magsaysay N180 (Magsaysay Boulevard) – Santa MesaNorthbound entrance and southbound exit; current southern terminus (2023–present)
Santa MesaSkyway – Balintawak, AlabangFuture southern terminus;[31] continues south as Skyway[32]
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The total length of NLEX Connector varies per source. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways, it is 7.7 kilometers (4.8 mi).[1] Meanwhile, NLEX Corporation and various news outlets state that it is 8 kilometers (5.0 mi), the approximated value.
  2. ^ The initial 1.8 km (1.1 mi) portion of Section 2 from España to Magsaysay is currently operational,[2] while the remaining 0.75 km (0.47 mi) from Magsaysay to Skyway is currently under construction.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "NLEX–SLEX Connector Road Project". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Yu, Lance Spencer (October 27, 2023). "NLEX Connector España-Magsaysay section to open October 28". Rappler. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  3. ^ "MPTC to build P17-billion NLEX-SLEX road". Philstar.com. September 26, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  4. ^ Santiago, Red (March 29, 2023). "The Caloocan-España section of the NLEX Connector Road is now open". VISOR.PH.
  5. ^ Tabile, Justine Irish (March 27, 2023). "NLEX connector road segment 2 set to open as early as June". BusinessWorld. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  6. ^ 3rd State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. President of the Philippines to the Congress of the Philippines (Speech). Presidential Communications Office. July 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Rosales, Elijah Felice (March 31, 2023). "New NLEX Connector Road toll free until further notice". The Philippine Star. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Katahira & Engineers International (October 29, 1993). Metro Manila Urban Expressway System Study (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency (Report). Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency (Report). Almec Corporation. March 1999. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  10. ^ The Development of The Public-private Partnership Technique for The Metro Manila Urban Expressway Network (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency (Report). Vol. 1. Almec Corporation. March 2003. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  11. ^ Camus, Miguel (October 28, 2019). "2nd NLEx-SLEx Link Set for Construction". Inquirer.net. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  12. ^ "Solid Moves: Toward Nation Building" (PDF). Metro Pacific Investment Corporation. 2008. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  13. ^ "Preparatory survey on PPP project for development of a connector road in Manila : Final Report" (PDF).
  14. ^ "Finally, Aquino approves NLEx-SLEx road links". Rappler. January 18, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  15. ^ "MNTC launches P18-B Metro Express Link". The Philippine Star. January 22, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  16. ^ "THE SUPPLEMENTARY SURVEY ON NORTH SOUTH COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT (PHASE II-A) IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: PRE-FINAL REPORT" (PDF). www.jica.go.jp. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  17. ^ "Neda board approves P23-B NLEx-SLEx connector road". Sunstar. December 17, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  18. ^ Dela Paz, Chrisee (July 26, 2016). "Metro Pacific unit secures NLEX-SLEX Connector Road deal". Rappler. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  19. ^ "Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (A Subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation) and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2019 and 2018 and Independent Auditor's Report" (PDF). Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. August 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  20. ^ "DPWH unveils P23.3-billion NLEX-SLEX connector project". PPP Center. May 2, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "DPWH Inspects NLEX Connector Construction Along PNR ROW, NLEX Awards Main Works Contract to DMCI". NLEX Corporation. November 5, 2019. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  22. ^ Unite, Betheena (February 28, 2019). "Harbor Link Segment 10 Finally Opens". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  23. ^ Rey, Aika (December 14, 2021). "NLEX Connector Sta. Mesa Section Breaks Ground". Rappler. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  24. ^ Amojelar, Darwin (October 20, 2022). "Manila's Magsaysay Flyover to make way for NLEX Connector". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  25. ^ de Leon, Susan (March 27, 2023). "PBBM on NLEX Connector inauguration, 'a dream come true'". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  26. ^ Manabat, Jacque (June 27, 2023). "Toll for NLEX Connector gets 'provisional' regulator approval". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  27. ^ Rosales, Elijah Felice (August 4, 2023). "NLEX Connector Road toll charges start August 8". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  28. ^ "MPTC's Mobility unit serves highly mobile customers inside, outside its tollways". Business World Online. January 24, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  29. ^ a b Silverio, Frederick (October 14, 2024). "NLEx Connector to collect new toll rates beginning Oct 15". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  30. ^ Lacuna, Jamil (June 27, 2023). "NLEX Connector may no longer be toll-free by July". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  31. ^ Abadilla, Emmie A. (December 1, 2022). "MPTC wants to build NLEX-Skyway 3 connector road". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  32. ^ "Foundation works mark start of construction of NLEX Connector Sta. Mesa Section". NLEX Corporation. February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
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