President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the first section of the PHP 23.2 billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector from Caloocan to Espaa on Monday, expressing optimism that the project will be completed "within the target time frame."

Marcos urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and NLEX Corporation to collaborate "closely and effectively" to complete the road project on time.

According to Marcos, the NLEX Connector will soon provide an alternate route, reducing travel time for our motorists and significantly improving the mobility of people, goods, and services.

He said that the start of this project demonstrates that his administration maintains and accelerates the momentum begun by the previous administration in terms of infrastructure development.

Marcos thanked the relevant government agencies and the private sector for making the road project possible.

He also promised that his administration will continue to build a "highly interconnected road network" to support the country's rapid, inclusive, and long-term economic growth.

During the event, Marcos was briefed on the NLEX Connector project by NLEX President and General Manager J. Luigi Bautista.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) Chairperson Manuel V. Pangilinan accompanied the President on a pickup vehicle during the inaugural drive-through.

The most recent NLEX Connector will run through Caloocan and Manila, with the Caloocan Interchange Connector Road in Balintawak, Caloocan City, and the Espaa Interchange Connector Road in Manila.

Meanwhile, the road project will be part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network, which will be part of the Philippine High Standard Highway Network.

The eight-kilometer, four-lane, all-elevated toll expressway connector project, when completed, will reduce travel time from SLEX-Alabang to NLEX-Balintawak from two hours to 20 minutes, benefiting 35,000 motorists daily.

Section 1 of the NLEX Connector has been completed as of March 23, while Section 2 is 42 percent complete and is expected to be completed by June 2023, assuming the right-of-way for the section is delivered to the contractor by the end of March.