The traffic flow at the NLEX-SLEX Connector Project crossing Santa Mesa Manila to Pandacan Manila via Jacinto Bridge (a four-lane bridge) has been reduced to one lane, one-way traffic since August 2022.
The NLEX-SLEX Connector project is supposed to connect the NLEX Connector tollway to the Skyway Tollway. This is an elevated tollway with some sections to be built double-decked.
While the long term benefits of this project was not in doubt, the manner in which this project is executed has been severely hampering the mobility of motorists and commuters around the construction area and motorists going to Manila and Quezon City.
Why? One side of the road has been closed since August 2022 to accommodate the construction companies priorities at the expense of the citizens of Pandacan, Manila and Sta Mesa Manila. There are about 200,000 residents living in and around these areas and there are also thousands more who use the Jacinto Zamora bridge who had to endure traffic at Mabini (Nagtahan) bridge because of the closure.
While it is beneficial for the long term (for the toll operators mostly), it remains puzzling why they have to use most parts of the road as their own stock area effectively blocking mobility for commuters and motorists. Explain that to the citizens of this area and motorists cursing under their breath at the affected areas at Quirino Avenue, Mabini Bridge, Magsaysay Blvd.
Why is it more convenient for the construction company to simply let these construction supplies to sit on that road for so many years already. This has been closed since August 2022! All the while conveniently being used as storage area by NLEX corporation and seemingly under the noses of DPWH!
We want to efficient but aren’t we simply sacrificing citizen’s plight for the sake of profit for the project proponents? I mean, there must be a better solution than simply using this part of the road as stock area! Perhaps they’ve never heard of JIT or Just-in-Time use. It’s a principle of bringing your tools and materials to the assembly point within the a matter of hours of usage. Certainly not years.
The latest target date for the completion of this project is by May 2027.
The project is welcome but the project proponents seem to be taking their sweet time to use the present roadways as their stock area. They are indifferent to the citizenry. They are also incompetent for not finding a better engineering to not disrupt traffic. And the government is not even lifting a finger to expedite the project.