The C3 Caloocan Interchange with the road going to Espana, from Espana going to Port Area, Manila, from Port Area to Espana. Photo by Anton Luis Catindig

After its inauguration with President Marcos, the 5-km Caloocan-España Section of the NLEX Connector will be open to the motoring public starting 12:01a.m., March 29, and toll will not yet be collected for a limited time.

“We are offering free access for a limited period, so motorists can experience for themselves the convenience of using the NLEX Connector,” said NLEX Corporation President J. Luigi L. Bautista.

NLEX will issue another announcement to advise motorists when it will start collecting toll for this new expressway built to improve mobility and deliver economic development opportunities in north and south Luzon.

With the opening of the first section of the elevated expressway, motorists may now enjoy the comfort of traveling between Caloocan and Manila in just five minutes instead of 30 minutes or more when using local roads. This is very timely as NLEX anticipates the influx of travelers during Holy Week.

While the new road is designed to cater to all expressway vehicle classifications, the NLEX management will strictly enforce the 60 kph speed limit for trucks, and 80 kph speed limit for cars/SUVs, buses, as well as motorcycles with displacement 400cc and above.

Traversing highly urbanized areas such as C3 Road/5th Ave., Blumentritt, and España in Sampaloc, Manila, the first section of NLEX Connector is expected to ease traffic along España Boulevard, Abad Santos Avenue, Rizal Avenue, and Lacson Avenue and provide easier access to several areas including the University Belt. It is also seen to benefit the trucking and logistics sector since cargo trucks will have 24/7 access in this new road, and in turn facilitate more efficient delivery of goods.

The NLEX Connector Caloocan – España Section has two wide lanes per direction and entry and exit ramps at C3 Road and España.

Last Monday, March 27, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the NLEX Connector Caloocan-España Section along with Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.  Also present were Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, MPTC President Rodrigo Franco, and NLEX Corporation President J. Luigi Bautista.

NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).