After it completed the upgrade of the southbound portion of the Candaba Viaduct in May
last year, the NLEX Corporation is set to start the upgrading of the northbound portion of the
bridge this coming February 2022. This initiative is part of the tollway company’s program to
strengthen its infrastructure for safer travel of motorists.
For about six months, 13 priority link slabs that connect bridge deck spans will be
replaced to provide comfortable driving experience to motorists traversing this vital five-
kilometer road network between Pampanga and Bulacan.
“We always ensure to maintain our assets for the benefit of thousands of motorists plying
our expressway. Whether it is above the bridge or under the bridge, we keep on doing the
upgrades for the Candaba Viaduct as we want motorists to continue having safe and comfortable
travel,” said J. Luigi L. Bautista, president and general manager of NLEX Corporation.
The upgrades for the Candaba Viaduct have been in place since 2019 as part of the four-
year rehabilitation plan that aims to enhance its efficiency and safety. Last year, the tollway firm
completed the link slab upgrade of the southbound segment which has since improved safety and
long-term serviceability of the structure.
Just like the previous southbound link slab upgrade, works on the northbound will require
motorists to pass with care as a temporary steel Bailey bridge will be installed so cars, vans,
small trucks, and buses will be able to cross over the repair site. Also, a counterflow lane at the
southbound carriageway will be open for the said vehicles and cargo trucks.
Proper traffic management that includes the deployment of patrol officers and marshals
and installation of directional traffic signs will be in place all the time to guide motorists. Traffic
updates will also be available on the company’s various social media channels.
The Candaba Viaduct has been a reliable link between Metro Manila and North and
Central Luzon. Several engineering studies have been done and major repairs and maintenance
works have been implemented to maximize its capacity and retain its good condition.
In 2017, NLEX constructed emergency bays in both the northbound and southbound
directions of the bridge and upgraded it to three lanes using the shoulders as third lanes. This
year, the company is also looking into constructing a third bridge to further improve mobility in
and out of the Viaduct.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC),
the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
