Paving The Way For NLEX-SLEX Connector
Meralco Paves The Way For The New NLEX-SLEX Connector Road
By Meralco Power Club
Published February 26, 2021
Meralco linemen worked nonstop to complete the tedious pole relocation process for the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road. #PoweringOurBrighterTomorrow
At least 35,000 motorists daily will benefit from this major government project—reducing travel time between the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to just 20 minutes instead of two hours.
The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is an eight-kilometer elevated four-lane toll expressway that traverses the NLEX southbound route from the end of the Segment 10 along C3 Road in Caloocan City all the way to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila and connects to South Luzon Expressway through the Skyway Stage 3.
In its efforts to support the government and its Build, Build, Build initiatives, Meralco—the country’s largest power utility—retired 57 electric poles and various power facilities that encroached the NLEX - SLEX Connector Road’s construction area.
The company is confident that they can complete the full relocation of the remaining facilities in various streets of Sta. Cruz, Tondo and Sampaloc in the City of Manila based on the timeline set by NLEX and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In order to do this one-time, big-time project, Meralco deployed 322 personnel and 68 line construction equipment to get the job done. To ensure continuous electric service to its customers near the project work sites, Meralco installed 102 electric poles, 34 spans of power cables and 79 spans of tree wire. Meralco engineers also had to perform several design iterations to ensure the safety of its customers in the area and had to secure numerous permits.
Powering through the pandemic. At the helm of this project are (from L-R): Ferdinand Geluz, FVP and Chief Commercial Officer; Ronnie Aperocho, SVP and Head of Networks; Raul Ignacio, NLEX Corp. COO; DPWH Secretary Mark Villar; Anna Mae Lamentillo, Chairperson of the Build, Build, Build Committee
“Meralco’s continuous effort to provide reliable and dependable power even during the most challenging of times, is our steadfast commitment to nation building. Now more than ever, a closer collaboration with government and business partners is much needed in ensuring the timely completion of Build, Build, Build Projects that aim to facilitate the seamless flow of goods, manpower and services throughout the country,” said Ronnie L. Aperocho, Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks.
According to NLEX Chief Operating Officer Raul Ignacio, “The timely completion of this key BBB project sets the stage for more big-ticket projects that are currently in NLEX and DPWH’s pipeline, including four which are in various stages of development and construction.” Ignacio further noted, “this will not be possible if not for the efficient management and cooperation of our partners in DPWH and Meralco. We look forward that this will also be mirrored in succeeding projects, for the benefit of millions of Filipino motorists.”
“Amid the community quarantine restricting the movement and number of our personnel, we have managed to execute the massive relocation works. We are honored to work side by side with our partners from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NLEX in making this Build, Build, Build Project come to fruition,” Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco First Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, said.
The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road comes at an opportune time. Despite being on strict lockdown in 2020, Metro Manila was ranked fourth out of 416 cities across 57 countries on 6 continents in urban congestion, according to the TomTom Traffic Index. The same report cited that an average Filipino motorist spent an additional 188 hours on the road during rush hour in 2020.
The Connector Road would not only allow millions of Filipinos to travel safely, it will also help them manage their time more efficiently, increase productivity, and essentially, help boost the local economy.
“These developments and partnerships give hope that our country will soon be on the road to recovery from the impact of the pandemic as long as we share the same vision and capitalize on each other’s strengths,” Geluz cemented.
#PoweringOurBrighterTomorrow
To learn more, contact your Relationship Manager, call 16210 or email us at corporatepartners@meralco.com.ph.
Story originally posted on Power Club.