Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 19) — The expanded 8.2-kilometer Subic Freeport Expressway is now officially open to the public, boosting the transport of goods and services in Central Luzon, its operator Pangilinan-led NLEX Corp. said Friday.
Around 10,000 motorists are expected to benefit daily from the expanded expressway, which connects Bataan, Zambales, Pampanga, and the rest of Central Luzon through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
The project increased the expressway capacity from a single two-way carriageway to a double carriageway with dedicated lanes in each direction. A total of 16.4 new lane kilometers, two new bridges in Jadjad and Argonaut, and a new tunnel were also constructed, NLEX Corp. said in a statement.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the government to impose strict quarantine controls, the firm still pursued the ₱1.6-billion expansion project to help fuel business activities and facilitate smooth movement of essential goods in Clark and Subic.
“The new expressway expansion will help spur investments and boost tourism in the Subic Freeport, benefitting thousands of locators and other business owners,” NLEX Corp. said.
The Duterte administration initially prohibited the implementation of construction and infrastructure projects during the enhanced community quarantine, but later on approved the continuation of construction works to rev up the local economy.
“The administration’s ‘Build Build Build’ infrastructure program is one of the key drivers that would help our economy get back on track from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was also quoted as saying in the statement.
“Infrastructure investments have a high multiplier effect in the economy, so priority is being given to projects that would create opportunities and propel our country’s growth,” he added.
