METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) completed 20 projects for both the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (Sctex), which helped decongest traffic and enhance its services to motorists, a company official said.

MPTC President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco said Nlex Corp.—operator of both Nlex and Sctex—ended 2018 “on a positive note,” citing enhancement initiatives for the two expressways.

“For us, 2018 was a productive year, as we were able to build more roads that helped us provide travel convenience and establish stronger relationships with our stakeholders,” he said.

Franco listed three projects that were most notable in 2018: the New Mabiga Interchange, Santa Ines-Magalang Exit and the additional lane in San Fernando Northbound Exit.

Last year, the company transformed Mabiga into a full diamond interchange, which helped in curbing traffic congestion in the area. It also constructed the Santa Ines-Magalang Exit to provide direct access to local roads in Magalang, Pampanga. It also added one lane at the San Fernando Northbound Exit, which has since prevented traffic bottlenecks, especially during rush hours.

Franco also cited the construction of the new pedestrian and tricycle overpass in Mapulang Lupa that helped ease mounting traffic issues at the Valenzuela Interchange, while also improving the mobility of commuters coming to and from barangays Paso de Blas and Mapulang Lupa.

To mitigate flooding along the roadway, Franco said, drainage enhancements were undertaken in Balintawak and Meycauayan in 2018. Overpasses, interchange bridges in Santa Rita and San Simon, including the Candaba Viaduct, were also repaired to boost motorists’ safety.

Nlex Corp. also upgraded Sctex and Nlex with more features such as LED lights, variable message signs, emergency call boxes, impact attenuators or crash cushions, and reflective delineator plates for motorists’ protection and guidance, Franco said.

Other initiatives involved the integration of RFID payments system in the expressways, pavement maintenance and corporate social responsibility endeavors.

“Continuous improvement, whether in infrastructure or service, has been and will always be our focus. Twenty ninteen will be even better for everyone as big-ticket projects are set for completion this year,” Franco said.

For 2019, the company plans to add toll lanes in San Fernando, Mexico and Angeles, and to expand the connecting ramps of Nlex and Sctex. It also plans to build a “drive and dine service facility,” and complete the Nlex Harbor Link Segment 10.