The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated P120 million for the construction of a new interchange at the Sto. Tomas, Pampanga section of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).
Budget Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran said the project will be funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) recently approved construction of the interchange that will connect NLEx to the western side of Pampanga and portions of Bataan.
TRB Executive Director Alvin Carullo said the project seeks to decongest traffic at the San Fernando Interchange and Jose Abad Santos Avenue, also known as the Olongapo-Gapan Road.
It will also boost economic development once the Sto. Tomas Interchange is connected to the Lubao-Guagua-Sasmuan-Minalin-Sto.Tomas Bypass Road project, which is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Meanwhile, NLEx Corporation President Luigi Bautista cited the construction of the Sto. Tomas Interchange as another testament to the strong public-private partnership on infrastructure development under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The project will be completed in 2025. (CLJD/SFV-PIA 3)