NLEX Corporation is working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in implementing its road projects in Pampanga that would connect to the NLEX-SCTEX network.
The tollway company says its pool of engineers are evaluating how to incorporate the three DPWH projects in Sto. Tomas, Mexico, and Sta. Ines, Pampanga safely and efficiently in the existing expressway system.
DPWH Region 3 headed by Director Roseller Tolentino and the local government of Pampanga led by Governor Dennis Pineda are eyeing to complete the projects that are included in the Pampanga Circumferential Road master plan. These projects, which were backed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, 1st District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin ll, 2nd District Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo, 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and 4th District Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc, aim to enhance access and connectivity as well as boost the province’s development potential.
“We are actively coordinating with DPWH in laying out the plans for the interconnection of NLEX-SCTEX, with some of these projects included in the Pampanga Circumferential Road,” said NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista, noting that “the team is carefully studying the safety and security aspects of the projects, and making sure that both local and NLEX motorists get to benefit from these.”
DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar affirmed that consultations are progressing with public and private sectors on various road projects. “Constructing a new road entails everyone’s participation. We are pushing for new access roads to ease daily traffic congestion and improve travel convenience.”
One of the projects in the pipeline is a road network that will connect NLEX to MacArthur Highway in Sto. Tomas town. A new interchange is set to be constructed, which will provide quicker access between the expressway and towns in the southern part of Pampanga such as Sto. Tomas, Minalin, Guagua and Lubao. The new road is seen to improve mobility in these areas where high industrialization is taking place.
“The province of Pampanga throws its full support to the opening of the Sto. Tomas, Pampanga Interchange. This will bring further progress to our province,” said Governor Pineda. 4th District Rep. Bondoc also expressed optimism in his town’s project saying, “The long-awaited and very timely opening of the Sto. Tomas, Pampanga Interchange will be the sparkplug that will ignite the further growth and development of Pampanga and all of Region 3.”
To further support the mounting developments in Mexico, a new interconnection that would decongest the portions along MacArthur Highway and the Mexico Toll Plaza is also being discussed. This road will extend the existing Aquino Byway in Brgy. Calulut in the City of San Fernando, offering an alternative route for trucks going to the expressway.
DPWH and NLEX are also in the process of merging their engineering plans and addressing right-of-way concerns for the proposed road extending the Sta. Ines Interchange in Brgy. Atlu-Bola, Mabalacat City towards the SCTEX covering Brgy. Dolores, Mabalacat City. The project is expected to further spur growth and open opportunities in the said areas.
“With the development of these new roads, NLEX is working with the government provide better infrastructure and access to the public,” Bautista said.
DPWH and NLEX have been improving roads leading to growth corridors. Previously, they partnered in the implementation of road network improvements in Bulacan to help accommodate the growing traffic and complement other developments in the province. These projects include the opening of Tambubong Interchange and the Philippine Arena Interchange in Bocaue, the Balagtas Northbound Entry, and the ongoing construction of the Balagtas Interchange southbound exit.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).