December 11, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday inaugurated the P7.8-billion Candaba 3rd Viaduct of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), which will ease and cut travel between Metro Manila, Northern and Central Luzon.
The NLEX Candaba 3rd Viaduct, which commenced construction last year, is a five-kilometer infrastructure built between two existing bridges connecting the towns of Pulilan in Bulacan and Apalit in Pampanga.
“The North Luzon Expressway 3rd Viaduct is a fulfillment of a promise of a safer, faster and more reliable travel for every Filipino,” Marcos said in his speech during the ceremony. “It was one of the landmark projects initiated by my father, then president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Years later, it remains as a vital link between the north and Metro Manila, leaving a lasting impact for generations to come.”
Marcos said the viaduct was originally scheduled to be completed within 24 months. He said with the use of latest technology, completion time was cut to 20 months. He congratulated the Metro Pacific Corp. for a job well done.
The event was attended by Speaker Martin Romualdez, Pampanga second district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Marcos was joined by Pangilinan and Bonoan during the inaugural drive through the viaduct.
“The Candaba 3rd Viaduct enhances the capacity of this expressway, reduces congestion and ensures a faster, more efficient travel,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, Pangilinan said a new chapter in the NLEX’s history and the nation’s progress was opened with the inauguration of the Candaba 3rd Viaduct, noting the two original viaducts were products of the vision of Marcos’ father.
Pangilinan said the project reflects the ethos of the President’s “Build Better More” program, and is a tangible proof of the partnership of the public and private sectors.
He said the Candaba 3rd Viaduct was built using latest construction techniques to save time and money.
Pangilinan said the viaduct would boost trade, connect people and communities, and ease travel, especially during the holiday rush.
The Candaba Viaduct was opened in 1977 and remains a vital link between Northern Luzon and Metro Manila.
From a two-lane structure, the viaduct was expanded to three lanes in each direction in 2017, and is now accommodating over 80,000 motorists every day.
Marcos assured the public that the Department of Transportation and the Toll Regulatory Board are implementing measures to ease congestion and ensure smoother travel across the corridor.
“With all this in mind, I call on all concerned, especially the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and the NLEX Corp., to remain vigilant,” Marcos said.
He urged the TRB and NLEX Corp. to swiftly respond and tap well-coordinated traffic management strategies to address the changing conditions as well as the increasing demand on toll roads. — Ramon Efren Lazaro
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