Crucial Espana-Sta. Mesa section of NLEX-SLEX Connector nearing completion, now at 66%
The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is part of the grand plan of making traveling from north to south and vice versa faster and more convenient for motorists. On- and off-ramps to get onto the main artery have continuously been constructed and a major segment, the Espana-Sta. Mesa section has steadily been nearing completion. Now at 66%, works are being hastened to possibly hit a full opening within the last quarter of this year.
NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Section 2 spans from España Boulevard to Sta. Mesa
Photo: Department of Public Works and Highways
Now estimated to be 66.64% complete, the Espana-Sta. Mesa section (Section 2) of the NLEX-SLEX Connector is a 4-lane road running the length of 1.84 kilometers, with on- and off-ramps located along Espana Boulevard. As we speak, construction works on the entry and exit ramps at Magsaysay Boulevard are already being done.
The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Section 2 will link the Espana Boulevard interchange to the end of Manila Skyway Stage 3 at PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila when finally completed.
Photo: Department of Public Works and Highways
“We want to ensure that right-of-way and construction activities are right on schedule in order to provide seamless travel for motorists, most especially trucks coming from the ports at North Harbor as well as to improve the connectivity and traffic flow between the Southern and Northern part of Luzon and its surrounding areas,” said Maria Catalina E. Cabral, DPWH Undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership Services.
“With construction activities on track for the final section, around 35,000 mixed vehicular traffic including heavy vehicles traveling per day from SLEX to NLEX will soon enjoy reduced logistical costs brought by shorter travel time from the current two (2) hours to just 20 minutes,” Cabral later added
Photo: Department of Public Works and Highways
Spanning a total of 7.70 kilometers from the end of NLEX Segment 10 at Circumferential Road 3 (C-3) at Caloocan to the end of Manila Skyway Stage 3 at PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila, the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is a joint project between the Philippine Government through DPWH and Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program.
Years ago, a 20-minute travel time between the north and south of the metro was unfathomable, but that’s slowly becoming a reality for many of us motoring citizens. Use of the NLEX-SLEX Connector may not be free 20, as with all the other expressways, but having to pay for shorter travels is something that a lot are willing to do for the sake of convenience.
Once all these infrastructure projects are completed, perhaps “being a foreigner in one’s own country” can be remedied more easily. With its accompanying toll fees, though.
