THE North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEX-SLEX) connector road project is targeted to open before the year ends, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said.

“Ang project po ay 40 percent ang physical accomplishment at 85 percent ang site possession ng ating right of way,” (The physical accomplishment of the project is now 40 percent while the site possession of right of way is 85 percent),” said Villar during inspection on Tuesday.

Villar added they are targeting to deliver the project up to España before end 2021.

The project will be linked to the Skyway Stage 3, mostly traversing the Philippine National Railways rail track.

It includes two interchanges located at C3 Road or 5th Avenue, Caloocan and España Avenue, Manila.

The DPWH secretary also said the connector will decongest traffic in EDSA and will provide route for trucks coming from ports.

“Magiging bypass ito ng EDSA. So, kapag nasa Skyway ka, pwede kang um-exit at dire-diretso ito hanggang Harbor-Link, at magkakaroon din ng exit ramp sa may

España,” he said.

The expressway will provide trucks with 24/7 alternative routes, resolve truck-ban problems, and better access to Manila Ports (North Harbor) and Airports (NAIA and Clark).

Once completed, the expressway is seen to reduce travel time from SLEX to NLEX from two hours to just 20 minutes. Travel time from Clark to Calamba will be cut to one hour and 40 minutes from the previous three hours.

DPWH said the project will benefit at least 35,000 motorists per day.