The Department of Public and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday reported that the eight-kilometer North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEX-SLEX) Connector Road Project is 45 percent complete.

Upon completion, it will extend NLEX southward from Segment 10 to Skyway Stage 3.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael Yabut representing Acting Secretary Roger Mercado, led the inspection of the ongoing construction of the second section of NLEX Connector at España, Manila.

He said the concessionaire, Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) reported that the project, is now almost halfway-finished with civil works, which will serve as the first connector toll road for all vehicles including heavy trucks.

Also, Section 1 which is the 5.15-kilometer segment from C3, Caloocan to España, Manila is now 64.5 percent complete while the 2.75-kilometer Section 2 from España, Manila to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila is now 3.1 percent complete.

When completed, the elevated road will reduce travel time from SLEX to NLEX to just 20 minutes and benefit at least 35,000 motorists/vehicles per day.

Using the four-lane toll road, travel time from Clark to Calamba will be reduced from approximately three hours to one hour and 40 minutes.

The project inspection was also attended by DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, Assistant Secretary Wilfredo Mallari, Director Constante Llanes Jr., Director Alex Bote, and officials of the NLEX Corporation.

The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project which costs PHP23.2 billion began construction in May 2019.

The multi-billion peso project is expected to be opened by the third quarter of 2023. (PNA)