As corporate offices and businesses slowly ease into the “new normal,” it would relieve motorists and truck drivers to know that they have a choice to steer clear of the EDSA congestion and opt for an alternative route.
They can take the NLEX Harbor Link, which opened the new 2.6 km elevated section between the new Caloocan Interchange, C3 Road/5th Avenue, and the new Navotas Interchange last June 15.
The elevated expressway, which is envisioned to improve the road sector’s network and eventually upgrade Luzon’s supply chain, is seen to benefit around 30,000 vehicles per day.
The new NLEX Harbor Link section features the new Caloocan interchange (with on and off ramps along Grace Park), the new Malabon Exit (with off ramp on Dagat-Dagatan Avenue), and the new Navotas Interchange (with on and off ramps on North Bay Boulevard South). It lengthens the existing Harbor Link (the 2.42-kilometer Segment 9 between the NLEX Interchange to Bgy. Karuhatan, Valenzuela City and the 5.65-kilometer Segment 10 between Bgy. Karuhatan to the new Caloocan Interchange in Grace Park C3/5th Avenue).
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar says the expanded NLEX Harbor Link will help boost the government’s traffic decongestion efforts in Metro Manila and other major thoroughfares. “This will be an alternative route between Quezon City and Manila. From the Mindanao Toll Plaza, motorists may now reach the Port Area in Manila in about 15 to 20 minutes,” he said.
NLEX Corporation president and GM J. Luigi L. Bautista pointed out that by bringing NLEX closer to the country’s central shipping gateway, they expect to speed up transport of goods as well as increased economic activities in Metro Manila and North and Central Luzon regions.
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The new section introduces an alternative route for motorists, especially truckers, currently affected by traffic choke points along Quezon Avenue, EDSA, and A. Bonifacio in Manila. Cargo trucks can enjoy 24/7 access as there is no truck ban along NLEX. Faster travel means quicker turnaround times for commercial vehicles and unhampered delivery of essential goods to Metro Manila.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) president and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco said the impact of the ECQ has been challenging, so “we worked overtime to deliver this piece of infrastructure that our metropolis needs not only to improve driving experience but also to hasten economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.” He added that motorists using the entire Harbor Link are assured of the same safety features and high-quality pavement that they have been used to along the NLEX.
Before the year ends, DPWH and NLEX are also targeting the completion of the new exit ramp towards the Navotas Fish Port Complex.