By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday inaugurated the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Candaba 3rd Viaduct, expected to stimulate regional development in Central Luzon through enhanced connectivity.
During the inauguration in Pulilan, Bulacan, the President said the viaduct boosts the capacity of the NLEX and reduces congestion—ensuring faster and more efficient travel.
“Standing as a testament to this Administration’s commitment to the ‘Build Better More’ program, this also shows that we are building the foundation to nurture the development of our countryside,” Marcos said.
“By improving the movement of goods, services, and of people, we steer economic growth, expand opportunities for trade and tourism, and drive regional development,” he added.
The five-kilometer-long road structure worth P7.8 billion is built with the latest engineering innovations to withstand the challenges of nature and serve the region for decades, according to the President.
This third viaduct, along with the two existing bridges along the NLEX Network, connects Bulacan and Pampanga and acts as the main gateway of the National Capital Region to Central and Northern Luzon—accommodating over 80,000 motorists daily.
As the holiday season marks an influx of travelers and users of toll roads, Marcos assured the public that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will continue to implement measures to ease traffic congestion.
He also urged the TRB and the NLEX Corporation to “prioritize swift response mechanisms and deploy well-coordinated traffic management strategies” to address the situations on the toll roads.
Before closing his speech, the President expressed gratitude to the NLEX Corporation and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation for the timely completion of the viaduct.
“Your work mirrors the kind of nation that we aspire to be—consistent, synergistic, forward-looking. Its early completion only underscores what can be achieved through grit, collaboration, and determination, and an open mind to accept new technologies and new ways of doing things,” he said.
The Candaba Viaduct was one of the landmark projects initiated by the Chief Executive’s father and namesake, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
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