The new NLEX projects, which include the 64 new lane-kilometers between the Bulacan and Pampanga portions of the expressway, aim to support the Duterte administration’s push for infrastructure projects that ease traffic congestion and accelerate economic development.

The government is partnering with several public and private agencies to implement the “Build Build Build” infrastructure program geared towards building more roads and developing mass transport systems to address bottlenecks that hinder the country’s growth.

Joining the government’s “Build Build Build” battle cry, the NLEX Corporation invested about P2.5 billion for the new expressway lanes project from Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan to San Fernando City, Pampanga which was opened in March this year to help improve travel convenience and promote growth of local businesses in the Central Luzon region.

The new projects also involve the upgrading of the 5-km Candaba Viaduct by adding new third lanes and building new emergency stopping areas on both directions.

New 2×2, 8 expressway lane kilometers in the Mabalacat City including two new bridges in barangays Balem and Quitanguil were also opened in December 2016 to segregate northbound and southbound motorists along separate carriageways and improve road safety.

“The new expressway projects support the government’s efforts to decongest Metro Manila by boosting Central Luzon with infrastructure that enable more efficient and faster transport of good and services,” said NLEX Corporation President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco.

The NLEX Corporation particularly cited that the new projects will improve public service for motorists commuting between Clark International Airport and the future Clark Green City, the 9,459-hectare master planned metropolis located inside the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).

“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.”

Aside from the new expressway lanes project, the tollways firm opened this year additional toll lanes in the Balintawak, Mindanao, and Meycauayan toll plazas to improve the tollway system throughput for motorists traveling between Metro Manila and the provinces in Central and Northern Luzon.

Additional traffic decongestion exits going to the cities of Meycauayan and Valenzuela were also opened to the motoring public recently.