MANILA, Philippines – State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) sees the integration of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) as a game changer that will provide motorists a seamless travel experience.
BCDA president Arnel Paciano Casanova said the integration would greatly benefit motorists in terms of faster travel time and convenience.
The P650-million integration of two separate expressways was completed last month.
“It’s the first integration among expressways in the country and we are happy to be part of it and set the bar for others to replicate for the benefit of the public,” he said.
Casanova thanked Senate President Franklin Drilon for the successful integration of the NLEX-SCTEX.
“Without his (Drilon) intervention, the integration would have taken longer or at worst might have not pushed through at all,” Casanova said.
According to Casanova, Drilon convened a meeting between the BCDA and the Manila North Tollways Corp. in early 2015 and pushed for the integration of the two expressways.
“It’s a display of political will and good governance under the Aquino administration,” Casanova said.
BCDA said collection stops have been reduced from five to two on the NLEX to SCTEX Tipo (Subic) and from four to two collection stops on the NLEX to SCTEX Tarlac as a result of the integration.
“Motorists will no longer need to make a stop at Dau, Mabalacat and Subic Freeport toll plazas to pay or get tickets. The integration saves some 40 minutes of travel time,” it said.
MNTC, a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., said motorists experienced light to moderate traffic flow in the whole stretch of NLEX-SCTEX, except for the peak Holy Week traffic days last March 24 and 27 when traffic hit 275,000 and 260,000, respectively.