NLEX Connector

The {{convert|7.70|km|sp=us|adj=on}} elevated expressway is divided into two sections: Section 1, spanning {{convert|5.15|km|mi|sp=us}} from Caloocan to España, and Section 2, spanning {{convert|2.55|km|mi|sp=us}} from España to Santa Mesa. The maximum speed limit on the expressway is {{convert|80|km/h|mph|sp=us}} for light vehicles, buses, and vans and {{convert|60|km/h|mph|sp=us}} for trucks.{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/03/31/2255686/new-nlex-connector-road-toll-free-until-further-notice|title=New NLEX Connector Road toll free until further notice|first=Elijah Felice|last=Rosales|date=March 31, 2023|accessdate=June 1, 2023|work=The Philippine Star|location=Manila, Philippines}}

The expressway starts at Caloocan Interchange in Caloocan, branching from NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10. It slightly curves to the west as it approaches Manila, crossing streets such as Hermosa Street and Solis Street in Tondo. It then curves east, running parallel to Antipolo Street towards Santa Cruz. It then rises as it passes above the Blumentritt LRT station at Rizal Avenue. It then curves to the southeast, crossing Dimasalang Street, entering Sampaloc, and more streets in the district, including España Boulevard, where Section 1 ends.

File:NLEX SLEX Connector Road construction Santa Mesa 9Apr2025.jpg (April 2025)]]

Past España, Section 2 commences. It crosses above more streets in Sampaloc. It then curves as it crosses Magsaysay Boulevard, its current southern terminus, and beneath the viaduct of LRTA's Line 2 system. It would terminate near the Polytechnic University of the Philippines campus in Santa Mesa, where it will be continued by the Skyway 3–NLEX Connector link of Skyway Stage 3 towards the Tomas Claudio Interchange in Pandacan.

The original plan of the project was that the alignment would have passed above the Magsaysay Flyover and the LRT Line 2 (LRT-2). However, due to the right of way issues pending on the {{convert|1|km|sp=us|adj=on}} spur of Skyway Stage 3, the awarding of the construction contract to a Chinese company, and revisions, the alignment would later be modified to include the ramps leading to Magsaysay Boulevard and Santa Mesa. The revisions included the plan for the structures to pass under the LRT-2 viaduct while the Magsaysay Flyover was dismantled during construction.

File:NLEX Connector PNR Blumentritt 2022-03-05.jpg (March 2022)]]

There were several plans to make a highway connecting the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) made before. As early as 1993, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a study on the proposed urban expressway system in Metro Manila, wherein both expressways were planned to be connected through various highways along the Radial Road 3, Circumferential Road 3, and Radial Road 9 alignments. The R-10A alignment that would connect C-3 to Tutuban through the Philippine National Railways right-of-way was also included in the plan.{{Cite report |date=October 29, 1993 |title=Metro Manila Urban Expressway System Study |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11117157_01.pdf |archive-url= |archive-format= |access-date=July 3, 2023 |author=Katahira & Engineers International |website=Japan International Cooperation Agency}}{{cite report|url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11580446.pdf|title=Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study|date=March 1999|publisher=Almec Corporation|website=Japan International Cooperation Agency|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}{{cite report|url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11718186_01.pdf|title=The Development of The Public-private Partnership Technique for The Metro Manila Urban Expressway Network|volume=1|date=March 2003|publisher=Almec Corporation|website=Japan International Cooperation Agency|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}

During the latter part of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's presidency, Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPTDC) later offered an unsolicited proposal to build the highway,{{Cite news |last=Camus |first=Miguel |date=October 28, 2019 |title=2nd NLEx-SLEx Link Set for Construction |website=Inquirer.net |url=https://business.inquirer.net/282111/2nd-nlex-slex-link-set-for-construction |access-date=June 1, 2023}} also known as the NLEX–SLEX Skyway Connector.{{cite web|url=https://www.mpic.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2008.pdf|title=Solid Moves: Toward Nation Building|website=Metro Pacific Investment Corporation|date=2008|accessdate=June 1, 2023}} The feasibility study conducted by JICA was published in 2011.{{Cite web |title=Preparatory survey on PPP project for development of a connector road in Manila : Final Report |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12041638.pdf}} It was originally to run from Circumferential Road 3 in Caloocan to Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati, with a total length of {{convert|13|km|sp=us}}. However, the southern end was later transferred to Santa Mesa, Manila, as the right-of-way of the Santa Mesa–Buendia alignment is held by Skyway Stage 3 of the rival Citra Central Expressway Corporation (now SMC Skyway Stage 3 Corporation).

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board led by President Benigno Aquino III conditionally approved the proposal in 2012 after delays due to cost issues on its "common alignment;" it was later approved for the first time in 2013.{{Cite news|title=Finally, Aquino approves NLEx-SLEx road links |date=18 January 2013 |access-date=27 March 2023 |url=https://www.rappler.com/business/19995-finally-aquino-approves-nlex-slex-road-links/ |work=Rappler}}

In January 2014, a joint venture was signed between Metro Pacific and the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC),{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2014 |title=MNTC launches P18-B Metro Express Link |url=https://qa.philstar.com/headlines/2014/01/22/1281635/mntc-launches-p18-b-metro-express-link/amp/ |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=The Philippine Star}} and the project was still known as Segment 10.2. However, on July 20 of the following year, NEDA-ICC deferred the approval.{{Cite web |title=THE SUPPLEMENTARY SURVEY ON NORTH SOUTH COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT (PHASE II-A) IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: PRE-FINAL REPORT |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12245890_01.pdf |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=www.jica.go.jp}} The project was re-approved on December 16, 2015, as a public-private partnership (PPP) project.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2015 |title=Neda board approves P23-B NLEx-SLEx connector road |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/amp/story/more-articles/neda-board-approves-p23-b-nlex-slex-connector-road- |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=Sunstar}} The succeeding administration added the project to the Build! Build! Build! Program.

Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC, now NLEX Corporation) secured a {{Philippine peso|23.2-billion|link=yes}} deal to build, operate, and maintain the highway on July 25, 2016, and was also awarded the concession later on November 23.{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/business/industries/140965-metro-pacific-nlex-slex-connector-road/|title=Metro Pacific unit secures NLEX-SLEX Connector Road deal|first=Chrisee|last=Dela Paz|work=Rappler|date=July 26, 2016|accessdate=June 1, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mpic.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MPTCS_CFS1219-Metro-Pacific-Tollways-Corporation_Client.pdf|title=Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (A Subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation) and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2019 and 2018 and Independent Auditor's Report|date=August 2020|accessdate=June 1, 2023|website=Metro Pacific Investments Corporation}} It is the first PPP project given the go-ahead by the Duterte administration.{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2017 |title=DPWH unveils P23.3-billion NLEX-SLEX connector project |url=https://ppp.gov.ph/in_the_news/dpwh-unveils-p23-3-billion-nlex-slex-connector-project/ |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=PPP Center}} It was soon known as the NLEX Connector.{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2019 |title=DPWH Inspects NLEX Connector Construction Along PNR ROW, NLEX Awards Main Works Contract to DMCI |url=https://nlex.com.ph/2019/11/05/dpwh-inspects-nlex-connector-construction-along-pnr-row-nlex-awards-main-works-contract-to-dmci/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031191201/https://nlex.com.ph/2019/11/05/dpwh-inspects-nlex-connector-construction-along-pnr-row-nlex-awards-main-works-contract-to-dmci/ |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |access-date=August 5, 2020 |website=NLEX Corporation |url-status=live}} It is estimated to cost {{Philippine peso|17 billion}}, but as an "all-elevated" or completely grade-separated structure, right-of-way acquisition shall be reduced to an estimated cost of only {{Philippine peso|2.41 billion}}. Its construction considers the upcoming parallel construction of the southern segment of the North–South Commuter Railway.

President Rodrigo Duterte presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the project on February 28, 2019.{{Cite news |last=Unite |first=Betheena |date=February 28, 2019 |title=Harbor Link Segment 10 Finally Opens |work=Manila Bulletin |url=https://mb.com.ph/2019/02/28/harbor-link-segment-10-finally-opens/ |access-date=September 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108021318/https://mb.com.ph/2019/02/28/harbor-link-segment-10-finally-opens/ |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |url-status=dead}} DMCI undertook the civil works for Section 1, while China Road and Bridge Corporation handled the construction of Section 2.{{Cite news |last=Rey |first=Aika |date=December 14, 2021 |title=NLEX Connector Sta. Mesa Section Breaks Ground |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/business/nlex-connector-sta-mesa-section-breaks-ground/ |access-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215002113/https://www.rappler.com/business/nlex-connector-sta-mesa-section-breaks-ground/ |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |url-status=live}} To make way for the planned section, which would traverse below the viaduct of LRTA's Line 2 system, the Magsaysay Flyover along Magsaysay Boulevard was decommissioned in late 2022.{{cite news|url=https://manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/314270794/manilas-magsaysay-flyover-to-make-way-for-nlex-connector.html|title=Manila's Magsaysay Flyover to make way for NLEX Connector|first=Darwin|last=Amojelar|work=Manila Standard|date= October 20, 2022|accessdate=December 2, 2022}} The elevated expressway was originally intended to have two interchanges, but during construction, additional ramps in Santa Mesa were included. Section 1 was inaugurated on March 27, 2023, led by President Bongbong Marcos.{{cite news|url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/03/27/pbbm-on-nlex-connector-inauguration-a-dream-come-true|title=PBBM on NLEX Connector inauguration, 'a dream come true'|first=Susan|last=de Leon|work=Philippine Information Agency|date=March 27, 2023|accessdate=June 1, 2023}} The expressway was opened toll-free, pending the approval of rates by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

On June 27, 2023, the TRB "provisionally" approved toll rates for Section 1.{{cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/27/23/toll-for-nlex-connector-gets-provisional-regulator-approval|title=Toll for NLEX Connector gets 'provisional' regulator approval|first=Jacque|last=Manabat|work=ABS-CBN News|date=June 27, 2023|accessdate=June 29, 2023}} Toll collection on the expressway later began on August 8.{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/04/2286041/nlex-connector-road-toll-charges-start-august-8|title=NLEX Connector Road toll charges start August 8|first=Elijah Felice|last=Rosales|work=The Philippine Star|date=August 4, 2023|accessdate=August 21, 2023}}

On October 28, 2023, at 12:01 AM (PHT), the initial {{convert|1.8|km|adj=on|sp=us}} portion of Section 2 from España to Magsaysay was opened to motorists, ahead of the 2023 barangay and SK elections, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day.{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/business/nlex-connector-espana-magsaysay-section-opens-october-28-2023/|title=NLEX Connector España-Magsaysay section to open October 28|first=Lance Spencer|last=Yu|date=October 27, 2023|accessdate=October 28, 2023|work=Rappler}}

File:NLEX Connector Caloocan España 16.jpg

As of August 2023, the NLEX Connector employs a barrier toll system with a fixed toll rate for motorists. Currently, the España Toll Plaza in Sampaloc, Manila, serves as the toll collection point. Like other NLEX Corporation expressways, Easytrip Services Corporation operates the electronic toll collection (ETC) system that is fully implemented on this expressway, the first in the Philippines.{{cite news| url=https://www.bworldonline.com/spotlight/2022/01/24/424933/mptcs%e2%80%afmobility%e2%80%afunit%e2%80%afserves%e2%80%afhighly-mobile-customers-inside-outside-its-tollways%e2%80%af/| title=MPTC's Mobility unit serves highly mobile customers inside, outside its tollways |date=January 24, 2022|accessdate=June 1, 2023|website=Business World Online}}

Tolls are charged based on class; it will eventually be based on distance as well, but it has not been implemented yet until further notice.{{cite news|url=https://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/nlex-connector-may-no-longer-be-toll-free-by-july.html|title=NLEX Connector may no longer be toll-free by July|date=June 27, 2023|accessdate=August 21, 2023|first=Jamil|last=Lacuna|website=AutoIndustriya.com}} Under the law, all toll rates include a 12% value-added tax. As of October 15, 2024, the toll rates are as follows:{{cite news|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/10/14/regions/nlex-connector-to-collect-new-toll-rates-beginning-oct-15/1983711|title=NLEx Connector to collect new toll rates beginning Oct 15|first=Frederick|last=Silverio|date=October 14, 2024|accessdate=October 16, 2024|work=The Manila Times}}

{{PHLinttop|exit|name|append=This entire route is located in Metro Manila. Exits will be numbered by kilometer posts, with Rizal Park in Manila designated as kilometer zero.}}

{{PHLint|exit|name

|hucicc = Caloocan

|lspan=2

|km=

|name=Caloocan Interchange

|road={{jct|country=PHL|E|5|name1=NLEX Harbor Link|location1=Port of Manila|location2=Mindanao Avenue|location3=Tarlac}}

|notes=Directional T interchange; northern terminus; continues north as {{jct|country=PHL|E|5|name1=NLEX Harbor Link}}; also connects with the C-3–R-10 section of NLEX Harbor Link

|type=

}}

{{PHLint|exit|name

|km=

|name=C-3 Road

|type=incomplete

|road={{jct|country=PHL|N|130|name1=C-3 Road|road|4th Avenue|location1=Caloocan}}

|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance

}}

{{PHLint|exit|name

|hucicc = Manila

|lspan=4

|km=

|type=toll

|place=España Toll Plaza

}}

{{PHLint|exit|name

|km=

|name=España

|type=incomplete

|road={{jct|country=PHL|N|170|name1=España Boulevard|road|Antipolo Street / Piy Margal Street / P. Florentino Street / S.H. Loyola Street / Fajardo Street / Laon Laan Street|location1=Sampaloc}}

|notes=Diamond interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance; southbound entry and northbound exit under construction. Former southern terminus.

}}

{{PHLint|exit|name

|km=

|name=Magsaysay

|type=incomplete

|road={{jct|country=PHL|N|180|name1=Magsaysay Boulevard|location1=Santa Mesa}}

|notes=Northbound entrance and southbound exit; current southern terminus

}}

{{PHLint|exit|name

|km=

|name= Santa Mesa

|type=unbuilt

|road=Skyway – Makati, Alabang

|notes= Northbound entrance; future southern terminus;{{cite news|url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/01/mptc-wants-to-build-nlex-skyway-3-connector-road/|title=MPTC wants to build NLEX-Skyway 3 connector road|date=December 1, 2022|accessdate=December 2, 2022|work=Manila Bulletin|first=Emmie A.|last=Abadilla|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201103719/https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/01/mptc-wants-to-build-nlex-skyway-3-connector-road/|archive-date=December 1, 2022}} continues south as Skyway{{cite news|url=https://nlex.com.ph/2022/02/08/foundation-works-mark-start-of-construction-of-nlex-connector-sta-mesa-section/|title=Foundation works mark start of construction of NLEX Connector Sta. Mesa Section

|website=NLEX Corporation|accessdate=February 9, 2022|date=February 8, 2022}}

}}

{{Jctbtm|exit|name|keys=unbuilt,incomplete,toll|col=8}}

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