NLEX link to Novaliches nears opening

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists going to the northernmost part of Quezon City will soon find relief now that the Novaliches link of the North Luzon Expressway has reached 96-percent completion, NLEX Corp. announced.

NLEX Corp. said it is close to completing the first phase of Segment 8.2, also called the NLEX-C5 Northlink, as the project is down to its final sections.

The segment is expected to handle at least 11,000 vehicles daily, easing access to Novaliches via Quirino Highway.

The NLEX-C5 Northlink project is designed to be an all-weather infrastructure, elevated throughout its two-kilometer coverage and will be equipped with security cameras and speed sensors for traffic management.

According to NLEX Corp., the segment would have Neology antennas and RFID readers for toll collection and is enveloped with roadside lighting and traffic signs for ease of navigation.

The project extends NLEX eastward to Quirino Highway, giving motorists an alternate route to Novaliches by bypassing Mindanao Avenue.

As the project nears its completion, NLEX Corp. is shifting its focus on the installation of concrete barriers and expansion joints along the mainline.

The builder is finishing the westbound and eastbound ramps in Quirino Highway, as well as the remaining civil works to prepare for opening.

Luis Reñon, NLEX Corp. president and general manager, said the project, once opened, would be beneficial to motorists trying to save time on the road to cut fuel burn.

“While fuel prices and other travel-related costs are beyond our control, we can provide reliable road infrastructure that help people reach their destinations more efficiently. That is the value we aim to deliver through this project,” Reñon said.

After the first phase, NLEX Corp. will proceed with the construction of the remaining segments of the NLEX-C5 Northlink. The second leg of the project extends NLEX to Regalado Avenue, deeper into Quezon City, and the third and final phase stretches to Congressional Avenue.