The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NLEX Corp. expect to complete the  first section of an elevated expressway from Caloocan to España Boulevard in Manila by yearned. 

“Right-of-way delivery for the whole alignment stands at 81 percent, while construction progress is at 16 percent,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

“With the commitment of both the public and private sectors, we are optimistic that we can finish the project as scheduled,” he added. 

NLEX awarded to D.M. Consunji Inc. in November 2019  the P8-billion contract to build the first section of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road.  

The five kilometer section of NLEX will span from Caloocan Interchange to España Boulevard.

The remaining 3 km of the entire connector road will be completed before of the Duterte administration in 2022. 

J. Luigi L. Bautista, NLEX president and general manager said the company is using Super T beams to advance its construction progress “so we can soon complete this crucial infrastructure that would help 

decongest Metro Manila and solve truck ban woes,” 

The newly installed Super T beams span 30 meters and weigh 53 tons. Compared to other types of girders, Super T beams are more flexible, structurally efficient, and aesthetically appealing. They have open flanges that provide a complete working surface and reduce the need for formworks thus help fast-track the construction of the elevated expressway. 

Over 1,400 girders will be used for the entire Connector project. The structural format of a Super T provides an optimal solution to particular challenges posed by the Connector project, which passes through urbanized areas where the roads are already congested, and the right-of-way is constrained laterally. 

Last year, DPWH, NLEX, and Meralco facilitated the clearing of electric facilities in Sta. Cruz, Manila. More than 300 Meralco linemen simultaneously worked to clear a portion of the right-of-way. The said activity involved the installation and retirement of around 160 electric poles. 

Spanning a total of eight kilometers, the full NLEX Connector will be an all vehicle class elevated expressway that will traverse the C3 Road in Caloocan City pass through Abad Santos, Blumentritt, Dimasalang, España, Magsaysay Boulevard and eventually connect with the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa in Manila. 

The P23-billion NLEX Connector will feature four toll plazas and interchanges in C3 and  España. It is seen to provide better access to Manila Ports (North Harbor) and airports (NAIA and Clark), and expected to reduce travel time between NLEX and South Luzon Expressway from two hours to just 20 minutes. 

The project will also provide trucks with 24/7 alternative route, enabling unhampered delivery of goods and stimulating economic development in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and surrounding areas.