MPIC invests P2.5B to add lanes to NLEX

Infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. spent around P2.5 billion to add lanes in the North Luzon Expressway, a move it said was aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing road congestion.

The plan involved the addition of 64 lane kilometers between the Bulacan and Pampanga portions of the NLEx.

It was led by Metro Pacific unit NLEx Corp., formerly known as Manila North Tollways Corp.

NLEx Corp. noted that the spending was mainly allotted for new expressway lanes from Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan to San Fernando City, Pampanga.

“The new expressway projects support the government’s efforts to decongest Metro Manila by boosting Central Luzon with infrastructure that enables more efficient and faster transport of good and services,” NLEx Corp. president and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco said in the statement.

The new projects also included the upgrading of the 5- kilometer Candaba Viaduct with the addition of new third lanes and the construction of new emergency stopping areas on both directions.

NLEx Corp. said the new projects would improve public service for motorists commuting between Clark International Airport and the future Clark Green City, the 9,459-hectare masterplanned metropolis located inside the Clark Special Economic Zone.

“Road improvements leading to Clark complement our goal of making the city more accessible and attractive to tourists and investors alike,” Franco said, adding that “these will help strengthen Central Luzon’s position as the country’s newest growth hub.” -Miguel R. Camus