NLEX plans to build new interchange in Mexico-San Fernando City section

MANILA: NLEX Corporation has revealed plans to construct a diamond-type interchange in the Mexico-San Fernando City segment of the North Luzon Expressway.

NLEX Corporation made the announcement last week during an inter-agency consultative meeting led by House Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Third District Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr.

Gonzales said that it is a “welcome development” and will help relieve traffic congestion on both the eastern and western portions of the expressway, particularly on the San Fernando City side, including the old MacArthur Highway.

He added that thousands of motorists and cargo truck drivers from San Fernando, Angeles, and Bacolor who currently use the Mexico entry/exit will be able to access the highway more easily. 

“They would not have to cross the highway through a bridge to access the present toll plaza on the eastern side if a diamond interchange that includes a separate toll station on the San Fernando side will be built,” Gonzales said.

According to officials of NLEX Corporation, the plan is to turn the existing Mexico exit/entry toll plaza, which is situated on the expressway's eastern side, into a “full diamond interchange” with a separate toll station on the San Fernando City, or western side.

NLEX Corporation also plans to link the interchange to the Aquino Byway Extension, a road convergence project of Gonzales, that would connect Mexico and San Fernando.

The expressway's northbound and southbound lanes from San Fernando City to Mabalacat town will also be widened next year, according to NLEX Corporation.

The company revealed that five local bridges in the vicinity of Mexico-San Fernando area will be affected by the road widening.

Gonzales proposed to use his priority development assistance fund allocation to relocate and upgrade the five bridges in the district in order to speed up the expansion of the expressway.

However, he said that three NLEX bridges are no longer passable because of siltation brought on by flooding and the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. He urged NLEX Corporation to restore them so that motorists and locals of Mexico and San Fernando can use them again.

Photo from NLEX Corporation

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