Metro Manila, being the heart of the country and the melting pot of different people from various provinces, constantly faces traffic congestion everyday. Its two major thoroughfares–the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)—are among the main arteries within the metropolis which face this struggle on a daily basis, and especially during rush hours. To alleviate this condition and enhance connectivity between the north and the south, the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project was conceived and built.
This ambitious infrastructure project, spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in partnership with NLEX Corporation, revolutionizes travel within the metro and stimulate economic growth, not just in Metro Manila but also in various provinces who use the two highways to connect to country’s main business hub.
Overview of NLEX-SLEX and Its Importance
The NLEX and the SLEX are two major expressways that serve as crucial arteries for the movement of people and goods within and beyond Metro Manila. According to available data, in NLEX alone, more than 300,000 vehicles pass everyday. SLEX records almost the same figures. The number is even higher during the holiday season due to the influx of travelers from and to different provinces across the country. These massive figures, plus so many challenges, make NLEX and SLEX a daily struggle both for travellers and concerned government agencies. The lack of a direct link between these two expressways has long caused traffic bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project addresses this issue by providing a seamless connection between NLEX and SLEX. This is vital for several reasons including traffic decongestion. The connector road will divert a significant volume of traffic away from major thoroughfares like EDSA and C5, reducing congestion and improving travel time for commuters and businesses. It helps reduce travel time by about 15 to 20 minutes. This will somehow ease the impact of traffic to economic loss in the metropolis, which according to study, costs an estimated P3.5 billion everyday. In fact, this year, the Management Association of the Philippines has called on the government to declare a state of calamity due to severe traffic congestion that Metro Manila is constantly facing.
The project enhances connectivity since it will create a more efficient transportation network, facilitating the movement of goods and people between north and south Luzon, leading to increased productivity and economic activity.
It also helps in improving logistics. The connector road will reduce transportation costs and improve delivery times for businesses.
Just like in any infrastructure development, it boosts economic growth. The enhanced connectivity and reduced transportation costs will stimulate economic growth by facilitating trade, tourism, and more investment opportunities.
It will also have some environmental impacts since it will limit traffic congestion, which in turn will contribute to lower fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, promoting lesser pollution as compared to the previous traffic experiences.
This development in NLEX and SLEX is well appreciated by stakeholders, especially motorists, as it will enable easier access to both highways, saving Filipinos time and effort. For instance, a motorist from Legazpi City, who frequently travels to La Union, expressed gratitude for the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road since his travel time was lessened. He said that he will no longer have to traverse inner roads within Metro Manila, where the traffic is much heavier, when he travels to La Union from the south.
“Mas convenient para sa katulad ko kasi ’di na ako lalabas ng ibang kalsada na mas grabe ang bubunuin na traffic. Steady na lang sa expressway kaya mas mabilis ang biyahe. Kung dati, mula Legazpi hanggang La Union, matagal ang biyahe lalo na pag ma-traffic; ngayon mga 12-14 hours siguro, kaya na. Malaking bagay na ’yon. Nakatipid na sa gas at sa pagod,” he said.
Project Description
Begun in 2019, the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project is an eight-kilometer, all-elevated, four-lane expressway that extends NLEX southward from the end of Segment 10 in C3 Road, Caloocan City to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila, where it connects to Skyway Stage 3. The project traverses the Philippine National Railways’ (PNR) right-of-way, maximizing existing infrastructure and minimizing land acquisition.
The project costs P23.20 billion and is a product of the public-private partnership (PPP) between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), procured under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law.
It is divided into two sections, namely the Caloocan to España section and the España to Sta. Mesa section.
The first section is a five-kilometer section that was opened to the public in March 2023. The section 2 is a three-kilometer section, including the connection to Skyway Stage 3, which was officially inaugurated in June 2023.
As of December 2024, the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project is fully operational, providing a much-needed alternative route for motorists traveling between north and south Luzon.
Award-Winning Project
The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road project won an award in October 2024. During the 2024 Going Digital Award by the Bentley System that was held in Vancouver, Canada, the DPWH was lauded for the extraordinary infrastructure work using Bentley Software.
The annual awards honor the outstanding work of infrastructure professionals and their innovative use of Bentley software in improving the way infrastructure is designed, built, and operated. This year, 250 projects were nominated by organisations in 36 countries. The winners were selected from among 36 finalists in 12 categories by a panel of independent judges.
What’s Ahead for NLEX-SLEX
The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project is a game-changer for Metro Manila’s transportation landscape. It is a thriving testament to the commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in building infrastructure to better serve the Filipino people under the “Build Better More” framework.
During the project’s inauguration, President Marcos said, “We will not stop here, and we will continue to develop a highly interconnected road network that will facilitate our country’s rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth.”
“Ultimately, the positive effects of this project will speed up mobility and transactions, and will spur economic productivity of the country,” President Marcos added.
Under the “Build Better More” development agenda of the Marcos Jr. administration, the President vowed to continue pushing for the interconnectivity of major roads and expressways, as well as build even more roads and bridges in strategic places across the country. (JM Danao, PTV)
