NLEX connector España section to open on March 27

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday said the España section of the North-Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector would open on March 27.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the first five-kilometer of the P23.3 billion-worth NLEX Connector España section is now 98% complete.

DOTr expects it "to ease the traffic congestion in the metropolis and improve efficiency on the road" with at least 35,000 vehicles seen to use it daily.

"Very important 'to sa ating mga mananakay. It will result to easing of traffic and because of that, magkakaroon ang mga mananakay ng mas time sa kanilang pamilya," Bautista said during the final inspection of the NLEX Connector España Segment at the NLEX Caloocan Interchange.

Bautista, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) president and CEO Rodrigo Franco, and NLEX Corp. president and J. Luigi Bautista conducted the inspection as part of regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and convenience of the motoring public.

Bautista noted that the NLEX Connector is a very important government project as it supports economic growth while allowing commuters to spend more time with families.

"Mas mabilis ang delivery ng goods and services 'pag mayroong maayos na kalsada," he added.

“We are on our final stretch of construction for this first segment of the NLEX Connector and we are looking forward to opening it before the end of March. The next phase of this project is the three-kilometer section from España to Sta. Mesa, which DPWH and NLEX are accelerating so we can finish by the second quarter of this year,” said Bonoan.

According to NLEX Corporation, the expressway is eyed to provide greater access to several areas in Manila, including the University Belt. It is designed to cater to all vehicle classes, including cargo trucks which can pass through the road 24/7 without having to worry about truck ban.

"The whole NLEX Connector stretches from Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road, Dimasalang, España Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Santa Mesa, Manila, with on and off ramps at C3, España Blvd., and Ramon Magsaysay Blvd," DOTr added.—Sherylin Untalan and Ted Cordero/AOL, GMA Integrated News