NEWS

By Emmie V. Abadilla

NLEX Corporation goes full blast on its major infrastructure projects, from the 8-kilometer NLEX Connector to the upgrade of the 5-kilometer Candaba Viaduct, despite community quarantine restrictions.

“We are following our timelines and have contingencies in place to be able to accomplish our projects amid the community quarantine,” NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista stressed Monday, (May 3) in a statement.

“By accelerating these projects, we are doing our part to help keep the economy going,” he pointed out.

Construction on the first 5-kilometer of the NLEX Connector or the Caloocan-España section is continuing, with its progress standing at 32 percent.

This latest Metro Manila elevated expressway is being built over the existing right-of-way (ROW) of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) between the Caloocan Interchange along C3 Road/5th Ave. and España Blvd. in Sampaloc, Manila.

Targeted for completion by the end of the year, the section will have on and off ramps in España and will make NLEX accessible from the University Belt area.

The next 3-kilometer section—also within the PNR ROW—between España Blvd. and the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila is expected to begin construction within the second quarter of the year.

Around 35,000 motorists daily are set to benefit from this new road.

The project is also being eyed as a viable 24/7 cargo truck alternative route between north and south Metro Manila—and support business activities in the fast-growing regions in Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

Furthermorw, NLEX Corp. continues upgrading the Candaba Viaduct to maintain its long-term serviceability.

The current upgrade, targeted for completion this month, involves the replacement of the link slabs on the Manila-bound portion of the bridge.

Todate, the project is already 92 percent complete as 23 out of the 25 link slabs have been replaced.

The pavement repair program on NLEX and SCTEX is ongoing as well as safety repairs on identified expressway bridges.

NLEX also started rehabilitating the Meycauayan and Bigaa bridges in Bulacan to strengthen their structure. Both were built in the 1960s.

The rehabilitation of the 45-meter Meycauayan bridge will be finished this September and that of the 64-meter Bigaa bridge in Balagtas, by August.

To keep traffic flowing as efficiently as possible, the project is being undertaken in stages, starting off with the southbound portion.

A total of three lanes will remain passable to motorists while works are ongoing.

For the Meycauayan bridge, the southbound works will be from April to July and the northbound works will be from July to September.

For the Bigaa bridge, the southbound repairs will be from April to May and the northbound repairs will be from May to July.

Despite going full blast, the tollway company and its contractors are complying with Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) safety guidelines, as well as those of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other government agencies.

Hence, it strictly observes safety and hygiene protocols, such as wearing of personal protective equipment and monitoring of temperature; regular disinfection of equipment and work area; compliance with physical distancing; provision of washing facilities at strategic locations; and testing of workers.

“We are not just building roads, we are helping build a more resilient economy,” Bautista underscored. “We are helping our country bounce back from the global health crisis.”

Source: Manila Bulletin