New NLEX Connector Road toll free until further notice

MANILA, Philippines — North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. has opened its new connector road to the public for free, but for a limited period.

NLEX Corp. yesterday opened the España section of the NLEX Connector Road to the traveling public after it was inaugurated by President Marcos himself on Monday.

For the meantime, NLEX Corp. president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista said the new road link can be used for free until further notice.

“We are offering free access for a limited period. This way, motorists can experience themselves the convenience of using the NLEX Connector Road,” he said.

Bautista also assured motorists that NLEX Corp. would release a separate advisory before it starts collecting toll at the new expressway. For the meantime, motorists can take advantage of the toll-free access to the NLEX Connector Road to head to their Holy Week destinations.

NLEX Corp., however, reminded motorists to observe the speed limit of the expressway at 60 kph for trucks and 80 kph for vehicles, vans and buses.

The firm also reminded motorists that although the NLEX Connector Road caters to all kinds of motor vehicles, it restricts access to motorcycles with displacement of below 400cc.

NLEX Corp. said there is no truck ban in the expressway, a policy seen to benefit logistics players finding it difficult to maneuver Metro Manila’s roads due to various restrictions.

The España segment of the NLEX Connector Road is expected to decongest road traffic in some of Manila City’s main thoroughfares, such as España Boulevard and Lacson Avenue. Likewise, it will provide ease of access in going around the University Belt area.

After completing the España stretch, NLEX Corp. wants to deliver the Sta. Mesa segment on or before June, confident the government will acquire all of the right-of-way access by April. The NLEX Connector Road will then be linked to Skyway Stage 3 through an interconnection bridge to be built by San Miguel Corp.

The NLEX Connector Road will extend for eight kilometers from C3 Road in Caloocan City to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

NLEX Corp., a unit under the Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., will invest a total of P23.2 billion for the project projected to serve more than 35,000 motorists daily.