By Jason Joshua Garcia
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE – An expansion project of the 8.2-kilometer Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) is underway as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation broke ground recently.
NLEX Corporation President and Gen. Manager J. Luigi Bautista told THEPHILBIZNEWS that the SFEX Capacity Expansion entails construction of two additional expressway lanes, two new bridges at Jadjad and Argonaut, and a new tunnel. He said that this will increase road capacity from one lane in each direction to two lanes in each direction.
The new bridges and a tunnel will be constructed parallel to the existing ones. The new tunnel resembles a horseshoe that will provide structural stability against earth pressure.
“One of the key drivers of economic growth is a network of high-quality roads. The NLEX Corporation through NLEX, SCTEX, and the soon-to-be expanded SFEX not only intends to accelerate development, but also hopes to encourage travel convenience and road safety,” Bautista added.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that the target completion of the project is September 2020, with the SFEX Capacity Expansion seen to enhance accessibility and promote travel efficiency on this key road that connects Bataan and Zambales. She added that this will also boost Subic’s competitiveness in trade and tourism industries.
“The project will help sustain Subic’s position as a globally competitive trade and tourism hub,” she said, adding that the road expansion project will complement SBMA’s infrastructure development program and promotion of Subic as an ideal shipping gateway for businesses in Central and North Luzon.
Bautista, Eisma, Hermosa Mayor Antonio Joseph Inton led the groundbreaking ceremony along with other government and company officials.
Bautista said the SFEX Capacity Expansion entails construction of two additional expressway lanes, two new bridges at Jadjad and Argonaut, and a new tunnel. He said that this will increase road capacity from one lane in each direction to two lanes in each direction.
