Completion of NLEX Segment 8.1 to make Valenzuela economically more vibrant

MANILA, April 13 (PNA) — The Valenzuela local government announced that the speedy completion of the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Segment 8.1 will greatly aid in economically developing the city.

”Once completed, NLEX Segment 8.1 will become an important route to and from Valenzuela City. This project will truly support the aim of the city to be a vibrant center of commerce and industry in the north of the National Capital Region," said Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian.

NLEX Segment 8.1, which has a construction cost of P2.1 billion, is a 2.7-kilometer roadway linking Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to the NLEX main gateway in Valenzuela City.

This project will have 2x2 lanes, a two-way service road and a clover leaf interchange north of Balintawak toll plaza.

Segment 8.1 is part of the NLEX Phase 2 project which consists of four toll road projects with an aggregate length of 22.48 kilometers that will provide access to the NLEX main from all four directions —north, east, west and south- and substantially ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Government involvement in both Phase I and 2 is extensive, largely in right-of–way (ROW) acquisition and resettlement of affected informal settlers.

For Segment 8.1, these required allocations of P907 million to acquire 347 individual lots, and an additional P600 million for resettlement purposes.

Gatchalian also lauded President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s decision to fast track the program as this indicates the national government’s commitment in building and developing infrastructure at par with the Philippine’s other Southeast Asia neighbors.

NLEX Segment 8.1 is part of Mrs. Arroyo’s program to decongest Metro Manila.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MNTC), formerly First Philippine Infrastructure Inc., earlier announced it is speeding up the construction of the Northern (NLEX) Segment 8.1.

MNTC added that with Leighton Contractors (Philippines), Inc. as civil works contractor, Segment 8.1 is expected to be completed on or before April 30, 2010.

Its financing was secured through a seven-year loan facility extended by the Philippine National Bank (PNB) as arranged by the PNB Capital and Investments Corp.

MNTC added Segment 8.1 will also have a toll collection system similar to that of NLEX, along with other vital service amenities such as traffic management and communication, median lighting, lane markings, signage, emergency call boxes and lay by—all fully integrated with the NLEX mainline at no additional toll fees to motorists.