NALEX and SALEX Set to Begin Construction Phase Soon

The route plan for NALEX. PHOTO BY Toll Regulatory Board

(SPOT.ph) The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has announced that the construction phase of two new expressways in the Greater Capital Region begins soon. These two Link Expressways are set to ease congestion and make for easier access to the north and south of the capital.

Construction for the Northern Access Link Expressway (NALEX) will start by the fourth quarter of 2024, while the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX) will start by early 2025.

"We’ve already started the Balintawak Advanced Works for NALEX, and we’re on track to begin the full-scale construction by the end of the year," TRB Executive Director Alvin Carullo was quoted as saying to reporters.

On the other hand, Carullo said that the SALEX will depend on the completion and approval of the final engineering design.

NALEX and SALEX are part of San Miguel Corporation's (SMC) larger efforts to enhance the expressway network in the Philippines. Both were approved in 2022.

Also read:Get From Caloocan to Magsaysay in Eight Minutes With Newly Opened Section of NLEX-SLEX Connector

What we know about the Northern Access Link Expressway (NALEX)

NALEX aims to be operational by 2026, in time for the opening of the NMIA in Bulacan.

NALEX is composed of two phases. The first phase is a 136.4-kilometer expressway that starts from the Skyway Stage 3 in Balintawak, extending to the NMIA then to Central Luzon. The second phase will be dependent on future demand, with initial plans to extend from Masantol, Pampanga to Tarlac City.

The expressway is expected to drive development in the coastal towns of Pampanga like Masantol and Macabebe, which are heavily reliant on fishing. Improved road access is expected to facilitate easier movement of goods and foster economic growth in the location.

What we know about the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX)

SALEX is set to start construction in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the project now entering the final engineering design phase.

It is composed of a 40.65-kilometer elevated expressway network, including the Shoreline Expressway and three Skyway Stage 3 extensions: the C3-R10 Extension, Quirino Extension, and Buendia Extension. These extensions will connect the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the NMIA.

The SALEX project is expected to ease congestion on major roads like EDSA and SLEX.

Also read: In the Plans: An Expressway That Will Link TPLEX and Alaminos