Manila President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently led the ceremonial inauguration of the first section of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project from C-3 Road in Caloocan City to España Boulevard, Manila. Joining the President were Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, MNTC President Rodrigo Franco, NLEX Corporation President J. Luigi Bautista, and various local government unit officials. According to DPWH Secretary Bonoan, the opening of the initial section stretching 5.15 kilometers is expected to decongest traffic along busy Manila roads, most specifically along España Boulevard, Abad Santos Avenue, Rizal Avenue, and Lacson, Avenue. “The newly-openedsection will significantly cut travel time between Caloocan and Manila to just five (5) minutes, and will cater to cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles with displacement of 400cc and above,” said Secretary Bonoan. Citing a report from MNTC, Secretary Bonoan added that civil works for NLEX-SLEX Connector’s second and final section is currently at 42 percent. The second section starts from España Boulevard to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila and is 2.75 kilometers in length. When completed, the approximately 8-kilometer, 4-lane toll road will serve around 35,000 motorists daily, connecting NLEX and SLEX through C3 Road in Caloocan and Skyway Stage 3 in Sta. Mesa, Manila. (dpwhpio/Renante Arjay Jarobel)