BOCAUE, Bulacan — The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has authorized the implementation of the 2nd tranche of the approved NLEX 2018 & 2020 consolidated petitions for periodic toll adjustments effective June 4, 2024.
Under the new toll fee matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system will pay an additional P5.00 for Class 1 vehicles (regular cars and SUVs), P14.00 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks), and P17.00 for Class 3 vehicles.
The open system is from Balintawak, Caloocan City to Marilao, Bulacan while closed system covers the portion between Bocaue, Bulacan and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga including Subic-Tipo.
Those traveling the NLEX end-to-end between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City will pay an additional P27.00 for Class 1, P68.00 for Class 2 and P81.00 for Class 3 vehicles.
The additional rates, which followed strict compliance with regulatory procedures and underwent thorough review, were part of the approved periodic adjustments of NLEX due in 2019 and 2021. The increase was deferred and divided into two tranches to help curb the inflationary strains and ease the impact on the users of the expressway. TRB has authorized the implementation of the 1st tranche or 50% of the approved toll adjustments last May 25, 2023.
From 2018 to 2020, the company has embarked on numerous infrastructure and enhancement projects to improve motorists’ safety and convenience. Some notable projects completed are the San Fernando NB exit expansion, Meycauayan NB and Balintawak SB drainage enhancements, San Simon and Sta. Rita Bridge retrofitting, Mindanao signalization, Mapulang Lupa Pedestrian/Tricycle Overpass construction, Toll system and equipment, roadway lighting and signage upgrade.
Over the years, NLEX has invested in major expansion and enhancement projects that are vital to the country’s economic growth and, at the same time, ease the travel of the motoring public as part of its commitment to support the government’s call for the private sector to take part in nation-building.
This year, NLEX has opened the new F. Raymundo Exit in Meycauayan and widened the Meycauayan northbound exit ramp as part of its traffic decongestion program. The tollway company is also set to complete the Candaba Third Viaduct which will expand the five-kilometer bridge from existing three lanes without shoulders to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders per direction. Being a reliable link between Metro Manila and the provinces in Central and North Luzon, this will further ensure the safe transport of people and unhampered delivery of essential goods and services in the region.
Two major projects, aimed at further decongesting the NLEX mainline, will also start construction this year.
The first two-kilometer section of the NLEX-C5 link from NLEX Mindanao toll plaza to Quirino Highway in Novaliches is set to begin construction by the third quarter of 2024. The construction of this new expressway section will be welcome news for NLEX commuters who currently face daily traffic gridlock in the congested portions of Mindanao Avenue.
Another major project is the NLEX San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Mabalacat, Pampanga. Once completed, expressway road capacity will be expanded from the existing 2×2 lanes to 3×3 lanes in each direction giving motorists a faster, more seamless travel. The project also includes the installation of roadway lighting from NLEX San Fernando all the way to Sta. Ines for added safety and the reconfiguration of Mexico as a full diamond interchange to accommodate the increase in volume of vehicles in the area. (UnliNews Online)
