What the Heck Is NLEX Air?

(SPOT.ph) When the roads can’t keep up with Metro Manila’s traffic, just build a new one above everything else. Is this the big idea behind NLEX Air, a P70-billion elevated tollway project by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC)?

The proposed route will soar over Bocaue and Balintawak and is set to target some of the most congested sections of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Also read: NLEX Connector Introduces Higher Toll Fees for Motorists

What we know about NLEX Air so far

NLEX Air will be a 17-kilometer elevated road stretching from the Balintawak Toll Plaza to the Tambubong Interchange. According to MPT Mobility Vice President Mark de Leon, the MPTC’s goal is to provide a faster and safer route for motorists, especially in cases of heavy flooding along NLEX.

Initially, there were talks about expanding the NLEX lanes between Balintawak and Tambubong to accommodate the growing traffic. However, de Leon said the plan is no longer feasible, prompting NLEX Corporation to propose the construction of NLEX Air as an alternative solution.

“The project will resolve the issues of congestion along our main lanes, as we saw that we can no longer expand through road widening,” de Leon said.

NLEX Corporation President J. Luigi Bautista also revealed during the recently held Transport Con 2024 that NLEX Air would feature a multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) system. Unlike traditional toll plazas that require vehicles to stop or slow down, the new system will rely on RFID technology, automatic license plate recognition, and artificial intelligence for contactless toll payment. This move is expected to greatly improve traffic flow by eliminating the need for physical toll barriers.

Specific timelines for NLEX Air’s construction and completion are still under wraps. What we do know is that as of August, the MPTC is currently awaiting approval from the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for NLEX Air as reported by the Philippine Star. Once the TRB gives the green light, it could take up to three to four years to finish the elevated tollway.

Not everyone is happy

When Top Gear Philippines shared the news about NLEX Air on social media, frustrated users quickly flooded the comments section. Many criticized the project as car-centric as it overlooks the majority of Filipinos who rely on public transportation.

Others argued that the P70 billion budget could have been spent on improving existing public transport infrastructure. 

Whether this project fixes the expressway's traffic woes remains to be seen. For now, it’s a waiting game as NLEX Air works its way through the approval process.

Also read: What Caused the Severe NLEX Flooding That Triggered Hours-Long Traffic?