MPIC set to begin P2.6 B NLEX expansion

MANILA, Philippines - A unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is set to begin work for the P2.6-billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) road widening project this month.

Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) is set to undertake the widening project to address the increase in the volume of vehicles using the 93-kilometer tollway connecting Metro Manila to central and northern Luzon.

“Traffic volume increases every year, so we need to build additional lanes in certain portions of the expressway in order to maintain the high quality service we provide motorists,” MNTC president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco said in a statement.

MNTC is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the toll road arm of MPIC.

Data from MNTC showed vehicle entries in NLEX rose nine percent to more than 218,000 last year from almost 200,000 in 2014.

The road widening project is aimed at expanding the existing two-lane portion of NLEX between Sta. Rita and San Fernando to three lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides, while the current one-lane stretch between Dau and Sta. Ines will be expanded to two lanes on both sides.

“These are where queues of vehicles usually form especially during holidays when many motorists from Metro Manila leave the metropolis for destinations in central and northern Luzon,” Franco said.

Apart from providing motorists a more convenient travel experience, the project will also benefit enterprises using the NLEX for the transport of goods.

“Transport of products to and from the provinces will be faster and more efficient once NLEX is expanded,” Franco said.

While work will be undertaken on the NLEX, he said no lane closures would be implemented to ensure smooth traffic flow.

MNTC earlier sealed a 10-year fixed rate term loan facility agreement worth P5 billion with Union Bank of the Philippines to support expansion projects and debt financing.

Franco said earlier a portion of the loan would be used to finance the NLEX expansion.