The road to progress

If there is one thing traversing the North envy about those traveling to and from the South of Metro Manila, it is the quality of the expressway.

The sorry state of the North Luzon Expressway has no doubt stymied both the social and economic development of central and northern Luzon. Just look at the South – be it quality residential areas, high-class commercial centers, world class industrial facilities, everything’s there. And they have to thank the South Luzon Expressway for it.

But development is not cheap. The toll rates on the SLEX have increased dramatically. But because motorists experience faster travel time and safer and more comfortable road travel, reducing the wear and tear on their vehicles, they have come to appreciate the new toll rates.

The Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) is tasked with the operation and maintenance of the NLE. It’s only source of income is toll collections, but unfortunately toll rates have remained practically unchanged for decades. This, inspite of the fact that the cost of construction materials and labor has steadily increased year after year.

But the need to rehabilitate the NLE is undeniable. So here comes the Lopez-controlled Manila North Tollways Corp. which has promised to rehabilitate the expressway in a span of 17 months. The group has also committed to deliver a world-class expressway extended to 84 km long and in some areas expanded to eight lanes wide.

But expect the toll rates at NLE to increase ultimately. After all, current rates are way too low and are unable to cover the costs needed to properly operate and maintain a world-class tollway.

Like other toll roads, the NLE will employ the "only users pay" principle, which is the fairest and most equitable way of paying for its cost. But even when complete and despite adjustment to cover inflation and currency devaluation, the NLE toll rates will still be among the lowest in the Asian region.

The MNTC, the project proponent, will start collecting toll fees only after the completion of NLE’s rehabilitation at the cost of billions of pesos. It is expected to be the only toll road in the Philippines that completely meets international safety standards (after all, how many lives have been lost because of the potholes at the NLE?) The rehabilitated NLE will feature a more durable highway with three main layers of cement stabilized sand, concrete, and asphalt.

Already, the President has hailed the project as a significant milestone in the nation’s continuing mission to generate economic growth and create opportunities by opening up avenues for trade, tourism, and investments in Central and Northern Luzon.

And like the South, we hope that this rehabilitation of NLEX will bring about the much-delayed progress for this side of Luzon. For those who are thinking of making this toll rate increase an issue, forget it.

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