MVP, SMC plan P120-B Bulacan highway

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced a planned P120-billion elevated highway linking Balintawak in Quezon City and Bocaue, Bulacan, through a partnership between the Manuel V. Pangilinan Group and San Miguel Corp.

Marcos said the investment followed his request for the two conglomerates to work with the government to expand the country’s road network and improve travel for commuters.

The announcement came during the opening of the NLEX-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 Section 1A in Valenzuela City, a two-kilometer stretch connecting Quirino Highway in Quezon City to the NLEX Mindanao Toll Plaza.

The newly opened section cuts travel time along the route from about 40 minutes to five minutes and can accommodate up to 11,000 motorists daily. It will be free to use until 31 December.

Marcos said the section was opened ahead of schedule to help ease traffic during the expected surge in vehicles for Undas 2026.

Motorists can use the new link to access the NLEX Connector toward Manila and the University Belt or reach the NLEX mainline toward Central Luzon and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. The road operates around the clock and accommodates all vehicle classes.