(Aerial view of the Bamban Interchange of the SCTEX (contributed photo))
Critical improvements on major thoroughfares that connect to the sporting venues of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) are set for completion right before the start of the regional sporting meet.
Luigi Bautista, president and CEO of North Luzon Expressway Corporation (NLEX Corp) said that major improvements along NLEX and SCTEX would be finished before the SEAG.
“The plan is for all of these (improvements) finished before the start especially those near the major venues,” Bautista said in an interview during the launching of the P1.6- billion expansion of Subic Freeport Expressway.
Some of the critical improvements along NLEX and SCTEX are being implemented by the Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWH) and the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).
DPWH is currently constructing two additional lanes along the existing Bocaue Municipal Road, a new 2×2 lane bridge crossing the NLEX, and rehabilitation of the inner road of the Philippine Arena. The arena will serve as venue for the opening ceremonies for the regional sporting meet.
The agency will also build southbound acceleration and deceleration lanes for vehicles going to Philippine Arena and the improvement of 1.91-km road from MacArthur Highway to Bocaue Municipal Hall.
On the other hand, BCDA is completing a new connector road in the Bamban area of SCTEX that leads to the New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac. NCC will serve as venue for athletics, swimming competitions and the closing ceremonies.
Joshua Bingcang, BCDA Senior VP, said that the construction of the new 12.05-km road is now on its final stages and will be completed before the SEAG.
Currently, the road can now be traversed by vehicles to and from the sporting venues at the NCC. The Bamban interchange will have three entry and three exit toll lanes. Costing P3.12 billion, this 8-lane road will also have bike lanes, roadway lighting and linear parks. It also connects to the Capas-Botolan road for connectivity to Zambales province.
The interchanges and toll plazas at Philippine Arena at NLEX and the Bamban access road at SCTEX will be operated and maintained by the NLEX Corp.
It is also rushing for the SEAG the construction of additional two lanes at SCTEX Clark South A and one lane at Exit B of the same interchange.
It has also scheduled for completion by January 2020 the Clark North Entry (1 lane), Clark North Exit (1 lane), San Miguel NB Exit (1 lane), San Miguel NB Entry (2 lanes), San Miguel SB Exit (2 lanes), Tarlac Exit (2 lanes) and Tarlac Entry (2 lanes).
Clark Freeport is the venue for baseball, softball, petangue, dance sports, archery, rugby 7s. It is also the site for the International Media Center.
