MNTC allots P210 M to expand NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) is spending P210.8 million to expand the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Bocaue Toll Barrier.

In a statement, MNTC said it is expanding the NLEX Bocaue Toll Barrier by constructing an additional toll lanes from the present 25 to 33 to provide ease and convenience to southbound motorists.

The expansion project will involve the construction of an eight-lane fishbone toll plaza at the southbound portion of NLEX Bocaue.

There would be four new pass-through lanes at the left side of the existing Bocaue Toll Barrier to lead motorists to the new toll plaza.

MNTC expects to complete the expansion in September.

“These new toll lanes will help accommodate the growing number of motorists using the NLEX Bocaue Toll Barrier and ensure that motorists continue to experience speedy toll transactions at the NLEX especially during peak hours,” MNTC president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco said.

More than 50,000 vehicles use the southbound NLEX Bocaue Toll Plaza per day.

During holidays, the volume of vehicles in the area rises by 10 to 15 percent as motorists go back to Manila from Northern Luzon.

MNTC is a unit of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), which is the biggest toll operator in the country.

MPIC is also involved in other businesses such as water, hospitals, power generation and distribution, and rail.