The Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) will be spending P1.14 billion on the massive expansion of lanes at major toll plazas along its integrated expressway in Northern Luzon to further enhance the travel experience of motorists.
Topping the list of toll plazas to be expanded is the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Bocaue toll barrier, where MNTC is constructing eight more lanes to bring up the current number of toll lanes from 25 to 33.
The Bocaue toll plaza on the southbound portion is set to open next month. Being built at a cost of P232 million, this new toll plaza will accommodate over 50,000 southbound motorists who pass through the toll plaza every day.
The Balintawak Toll Barrier is also to be expanded from the existing 16 lanes to 23 lanes, using a budget of P176 million.
“We are doing these projects to minimize queuing at the toll plazas especially during peak hours, aside from assuring our motorists to continue experiencing speedy toll transactions at the NLEX-SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway),” said MNTC president Rodrigo Franco in a statement.
Meanwhile, three new lanes in a fishbone scheme will be constructed at the NLEX Mindanao Avenue, allocated with a budget amounting to P32 million. Since it opened in 2010, the Mindanao toll plaza has been a useful alternative entry to NLEX from Quezon City.
The Mabiga Interchange, on the other hand, will have two new toll plazas with two toll lanes each, and has a project cost amounting to P75 million.
Two lanes will also be added to the Subic-Tipo toll barrier, an undertaking to cost P70 million.
The San Fernando Interchange is up for a P287-million enhancement as part of the second phase of the NLEX raod widening. The existing two-by-two lanes will be expanded to two-by-four lanes, including the interchange bridge, while the east and west rotundas will be converted into signalized intersections to address traffic congestion in the area.
The Meycauayan Interchange, meantime, is set for a P154-million improvement which includes the relocation of the southbound toll plaza, signalization of the east rotunda, rectification of pavement, widening of the Malhacan road approach, and opening of temporary exits.
Also part of the expansion projects are the improvement of the existing interchange ramp in the NLEX Spur that connects NLEX and SCTEX (an initiative estimated to cost P40 million) and the utilization of the Sta. Ines Interchange as a full interchange (with a funding of P73 million).
“These continual improvements at NLEX-SCTEX (are seen) to guarantee motorists of a similarly high level of customer service despite the rising traffic volume in our expressways,” Franco explained.
