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C-5
NLEX Harbor Link
NLEX Harbor Link 18.jpg
NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 northbound towards Karuhatan Exit in Valenzuela
Route information
Maintained by NLEX Corporation
Length24.8 km[1][2] (15.4 mi)
Segment 8.1 (Mindanao Avenue Link) – 2.7 km (1.7 mi)
Segment 9 (Karuhatan Link) – 2.42 km (1.50 mi)
Segment 10 (Harbor Link) – 8.18 km (5.08 mi) (including C-3–R-10 section)
Segment 8.2 (C-5 Link) – 11.5 km (7.1 mi) (construction pending)
Existed2009–present
Component
highways
  • C-5 C-5 from Mindanao Avenue to Karuhatan
  • E5
Major junctions
West end AH 26 (N120) (Radial Road 10) in Navotas
Major intersections
East end N128 (Mindanao Avenue) in Valenzuela
Future: N129 (Katipunan Avenue) / C.P. Garcia Avenue in Quezon City
Location
CountryPhilippines
Major citiesCaloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Quezon City, Valenzuela
Highway system
  • Roads in the Philippines
← E4→ E6

NLEX Harbor Link (North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link), signed as E5 of the Philippine expressway network, is a four- to six-lane expressway that serves as a spur of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) linking it to the Port of Manila to the west and Quezon City to the east.[3][1] It runs from Katipunan (a component of Circumferential Road 5) and C.P. Garcia Avenues in Quezon City to Radial Road 10 in Navotas, leading to the Port of Manila. Currently, its segment from Mindanao Avenue in Valenzuela to Navotas is operational.

Route description

[edit]

The NLEX Harbor Link Project is an extension of the North Luzon Expressway running from Mindanao Avenue in Valenzuela at the east to Radial Road 10 in Navotas at the west, allowing access to the Port of Manila. It aims to connect with the Port of Manila while improving cargo movement between NLEX and Radial Road 10. It is divided into four segments, namely: Segment 8.1 (Mindanao Avenue Link), 8.2 (C-5 Link / Citi Link), 9 (Karuhatan Link), and 10 (Harbor Link).[1] It forms part of the expressway's open section. Both Segments 8.1 and 9, located in Valenzuela, are components of Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) of Manila's arterial road network.

Mindanao Avenue to NLEX main

[edit]
NLEX Segment 8.1 (Mindanao Avenue Link) westbound towards Harbor Link Interchange

NLEX Segment 8.1 (Mindanao Avenue Link) is a four-lane, 2.7-kilometer (1.7 mi) expressway from the Harbor Link Interchange to Mindanao Avenue in Valenzuela. Lying on the ground level east of the interchange, it begins at the intersection with Mindanao Avenue in Barangay Ugong and then approaches the Mindanao toll plazas, widening to 6 lanes serving only westbound traffic. It terminates at the Harbor Link Interchange with NLEX Main and continues to the west as Segment 9 (Karuhatan Link).

NLEX main to Karuhatan

[edit]
NLEX Segment 9 (Karuhatan Link) westbound

NLEX Segment 9 (Karuhatan Link) is a four-lane, 2.42-kilometer (1.50 mi) expressway from Harbor Link Interchange to MacArthur Highway in Karuhatan, Valenzuela. It is the first segment of the NLEX Harbor Link project.[4] It begins at the Harbor Link Interchange with NLEX Main, picking up from where Segment 8.1 (Mindanao Avenue Link) left off. Lying on the ground level west of the interchange, it then traverses Barangays Gen. T. De Leon, Parada, and Maysan, where two exits towards the first two barangays, respectively, are found. It then enters Barangay Karuhatan, where it approaches the Karuhatan toll plaza, widening to 6 lanes serving only eastbound vehicles, and Segment 10 (Harbor Link) and finally terminates at MacArthur Highway.

Karuhatan to Navotas

[edit]
NLEX Segment 10 southbound towards Caloocan Interchange
The C3–R10 section westbound

NLEX Segment 10 (Harbor Link), the second phase of the NLEX Harbor Link project, is a four-lane, 5.65-kilometer (3.51 mi) fully elevated expressway which connects with the Karuhatan Link (Segment 9) in Valenzuela to C-3 Road in Caloocan, where two ramps carry it to the west for another 2.60 kilometers (1.62 mi) up to Radial Road 10 (R-10) in Navotas.[4] It begins at Karuhatan Exit with Segment 9 (Karuhatan Link) and MacArthur Highway. The section near the northern terminus traverses an industrial and residential area, which necessitated the demolition of numerous houses, buildings, and warehouses. It soon follows the railway right-of-way, where it rises to as high as 19 meters (62 ft) to provide necessary ground clearance for the viaduct carrying the future Manila–Clark Railway of the Philippine National Railways (PNR). It then crosses the Tullahan River, where it enters Malabon. It then enters Caloocan, where past Samson Road and the PNR rolling stock shops in Caloocan, it shifts east of the railway's right of way (ROW), necessitating the demolition of a wet market. An exit to C-3 Road could then be found before meeting the Caloocan Interchange, where the expressway veers west as the C3–R10 spur alignment with a connection to NLEX Connector that would lead southwards to Manila. The 2.60-kilometer (1.62 mi) C3–R10 spur section, also known as the Mel Lopez Boulevard section,[5] runs above C-3 Road, with a westbound exit to Dagat-Dagatan Avenue, crossing the Navotas River as it enters Navotas before reaching the Navotas Interchange, which connects to the Port of Manila via Mel Lopez Boulevard.

At the Navotas Interchange, the expressway has a possible future connection to the proposed NLEX–CAVITEX Port Expressway Link or Harbor Link Port Access Mobility Facility towards Manila–Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) or Anda Circle, respectively.[6][7]

History

[edit]

Proposal

[edit]

According to differing versions of Frost Plan for Quezon City (the then-capital of the Philippines), an avenue was planned to connect the second National Government Center at Constitution Hill (now Batasan Hills) to both Balintawak and Manila North Road (now MacArthur Highway) in Valenzuela. In Quezon City, this road was named Republic Avenue or Avenue of the Republic.[8][9] However, the avenue was partially realized, and its right-of-way was eventually occupied by informal settlements. The proposal for the Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) came thereafter, with a proposed terminus by the Manila Bay in Navotas, based on a 1980 feasibility study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.[10][11][12]

Another study was conducted by JICA in 1993, which included a plan for an urban expressway in Metro Manila. The planned routes were included in the study. The portion of Expressway Route C-3 would start at the interchange with Expressway Route R-9 along the intersection of Andres Bonifacio Avenue in Quezon City and continue to the first segment of Expressway Route R-10 in Navotas.[13]

In the 1999 Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study (MMUTIS), JICA proposed building elevated expressways from Andres Bonifacio Avenue to Radial Road 10/Marcos Road (now Mel Lopez Boulevard) in Tondo, Manila, called the R-10/C-3 Expressway, and along Circumferential Road 5 that would have extended to Bulacan past Republic Avenue in Quezon City.[14] In 2003, JICA conducted another study proposing the Metro Manila Urban Expressway System, which included routes along R-9, R-10, C-3, and C-5.[15] However, none of these plans were implemented.

The proposal for the northern extension of C-5 conceptualized in the 1980 and 1999 JICA studies[16][17] aimed to connect Quezon City to Navotas. In 1998, the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) signed a STOA agreement with the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC, now NLEX Corporation), planning a tolled expressway from C.P. Garcia Avenue, veering into Republic Avenue in Quezon City and reaching Valenzuela. The route, initially 22.4 kilometers (13.9 mi) long,[18][19] included segments of the Harbor Link and a cloverleaf interchange with the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). The planned terminus was to be located at Letre Road in Malabon. However, it was realigned to follow the Philippine National Railways' abandoned line and ends at C-3 Road in Caloocan.[20]

Construction

[edit]
The C-3–R-10 section of Segment 10 (Harbor Link) under construction at C-3 Road, 2019

Construction of NLEX Segment 8.1 (Mindanao Avenue Link), the first segment of the Harbor Link project, broke ground on April 2, 2009,[21] with actual construction work beginning on April 21, 2009.[22] The right-of-way for the road and interchange were then established upon their construction, and several houses were demolished. The first segment of the project was opened to traffic on June 5, 2010, by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Metro Pacific Investments chairman Manny Pangilinan.[23] The spur road became part of the C-5 Road North Extension and was built to provide another entry point to the expressway from Metro Manila and decongest Balintawak Interchange.[24]

In 2013–2014, the construction of NLEX Segments 9 (Karuhatan Link) and 10 (Harbor Link) broke ground.[25][26] On March 18, 2015, NLEX Segment 9 was opened, continuing Segment 8.1, running from the western side of the Harbor Link Interchange to MacArthur Highway in Karuhatan, Valenzuela.

In 2017, the works on the additional segment leading to Radial Road 10 began, while three ramps were planned as a provision.[27]

On February 28, 2019, the main stretch of NLEX Segment 10 from MacArthur Highway to C-3 Road in Caloocan was inaugurated and opened to traffic.[28][29] However, this section of NLEX Segment 10 was supposed to be operational in December 2016[30] but was delayed repeatedly due to right-of-way issues and delayed right-of-way acquisition. On February 21, 2020, its C-3–R-10 section was partially opened to its Malabon (Dagat-Dagatan) exit ramp.[31] On June 15, its remaining section to Radial Road 10 was finally opened.[32] This section was originally expected to open in March 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Future

[edit]

Segment 8.2 (NLEX–C-5 Link)

[edit]

NLEX Segment 8.2, also named NLEX C-5 Link and NLEX Citi Link,[4][33] will be an 11.5-kilometer (7.1 mi) segment part of the NLEX Harbor Link Project that will connect the existing NLEX Segment 8.1 (Mindanao Avenue Link) to Katipunan Avenue, a part of C-5. It is divided into two sections: the 8.30-kilometer (5.16 mi) Section 1 from Mindanao Avenue to Luzon Avenue and the 3.2-kilometer (2.0 mi) Section 2 from Luzon Avenue to C.P. Garcia Avenue.[1][34][35] The planned segment will at first run parallel to Republic Avenue before making a southward turn to Luzon Avenue, after which it will then cross to Commonwealth Avenue and end at the intersection of C.P. Garcia and Katipunan Avenues.[4] The segment will include five interchanges at Mindanao Avenue, Quirino Highway, Regalado Avenue, Congressional and Luzon Avenues, and Katipunan and C.P. Garcia Avenues, with three local road crossings at Sauyo Road, Chestnut Avenue, and Commonwealth Avenue.[36][37]

The project implementation has been delayed for years due to right-of-way issues,[2][38] as it will affect informal settlers in eight barangays in Quezon City.[39] Construction of the expressway segment's first phase, particularly the 2-kilometer (1.2 mi) Section 1A between Mindanao Avenue and Quirino Highway, is set to commence in 2024.[40]

Toll

[edit]
Karuhatan toll plaza on Karuhatan Link

NLEX Harbor Link is part of North Luzon Expressway's open section in Metro Manila and south of NLEX Main's Bocaue Toll Plaza in Bocaue, Bulacan. The section employs a barrier toll system, wherein vehicles are charged a flat toll based on class. Entering vehicles from NLEX Main do not need another toll collection on NLEX Harbor Link as their toll fees have already been collected at Balintawak or one of the southbound toll plazas from Bocaue to Paso de Blas, whereas those from elsewhere from Caloocan Interchange northwards/eastwards are charged a toll fee at Mindanao or Karuhatan toll plazas; eastbound vehicles exiting at Karuhatan are charged a toll fee upon exit. Vehicles traversing the C-3–R-10 section to and from the NLEX Connector are charged a toll fee at the latter.

It accepts cash payments and adopts the electronic toll collection (ETC) system, which is operated by Easytrip Services Corporation. Under the law, all toll rates include a 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT).

The toll rates, implemented since June 4, 2024, are as follows:[41]

Class Toll
Class 1
(cars, motorcycles, SUVs, jeepneys) 		₱74
Class 2
(buses, light trucks) 		₱186
Class 3
(heavy trucks) 		₱223

Exits

[edit]
Harbor Link Interchange
C-3 Road Exit
Caloocan Interchange
Malabon (Dagat-Dagatan) Exit
Navotas Interchange (Mel Lopez Blvd./R-10 ramp)

This entire route is located in Metro Manila. Exit numbers are numbered by kilometer posts. The kilometer count, which would be shown here in its approximate values, increments east and west of Harbor Link Interchange as it branches off NLEX Main, with Rizal Park in Manila designated as kilometer 0. 

ProvinceCity/MunicipalitykmmiExitNameDestinationsNotes
Quezon CityC.P. Garcia N129 (Katipunan Avenue) / C.P. Garcia AvenueFuture eastern terminus;[34] possible link to the proposed C-5 Expressway
Congressional N129 (Congressional Avenue Extension, Luzon Avenue)
Regalado[42]Regalado Avenue
Quirino Highway N127 (Quirino Highway)
Valenzuela15.99.9Mindanao Avenue N128 (Mindanao Avenue) – Quezon CityCurrent eastern terminus; C-5 segment of NLEX Harbor Link starts here.
15.399.56Mindanao Toll Plaza (westbound only)
15.299.50Mindanao Toll Plaza expansion (westbound only; exclusively for Class 1)
138.1Harbor Link Interchange AH 26 (E1) (NLEX Main) – Balintawak, TarlacCloverleaf interchange with collector lanes; former western terminus (2009-2015)
14.719.14ParadaParada, MaysanWestbound exit only
15.009.32Gen. T. De LeonGen. T. de LeonEastbound exit only
16.1510.04Karuhatan Toll Plaza (eastbound only)
16.2–
17.5		10.1–
10.9		Karuhatan N1 (MacArthur Highway) – KaruhatanDiamond interchange. C-5 segment of NLEX Harbor Link ends here. former western terminus (2015-2019)
MalabonNo major junctions
CaloocanC-3 Road N130 (C-3 Road) – CaloocanWestbound exit and eastbound entrance; Former western terminus (2019-2020)
Caloocan InterchangeNLEX ConnectorDirectional T interchange; veers west to C3–R10 section
Malabon (Dagat-Dagatan)Dagat-Dagatan Avenue – Caloocan, MalabonWestbound exit and future eastbound entrance[43]
Navotas AH 26 (N120) (R-10) – Navotas Fish Port ComplexFuture westbound exit and eastbound entrance, access to Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX) [44]
Navotas Interchange (Mel Lopez Boulevard/R10 Ramp)[44] AH 26 (N120) (R-10) – Port of ManilaWestern terminus, future connection to Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX)
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "NLEX HARBOR LINK PROJECT AND CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD 5 (C-5)". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Balinbin, Arjay L. (February 19, 2020). "DPWH readies NLEx 'Segment 8.2'". BusinessWorld. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  3. ^ "2015 DPWH Road Data". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "Concessions". NLEX Corporation. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  5. ^ Loyola, James A. (February 7, 2022). "NLEX Corp. bonds retains top rating". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Mercurio, Richmond (March 2, 2020). "NLEX keen on Port Expressway Link project". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  7. ^ Mercurio, Richmond (February 14, 2020). "Construction to start soon on Harbor Link extension". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  8. ^ Bueza, Michael (October 12, 2014). "What Quezon City could have looked like". Rappler. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  9. ^ "From Grassland to Metropolis: Evolution of Makati CBD" (PDF). Management Association of the Philippines. October 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "Feasibility Study for Manila-Bataan Coastal Road and Its Related Roads (C-5 & C-6) Project, Volume IV: Appendix" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Japan International Cooperation Agency : Government of the Philippines, Counterpart Study Team. March 1980. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  11. ^ "Feasibility Study for Manila-Bataan Coastal Road and Its Related Roads (C-5 & C-6) Project, Volume I & II" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Japan International Cooperation Agency : Government of the Philippines, Counterpart Study Team. March 1980. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "Feasibility Study for Manila-Bataan Coastal Road and Its Related Roads (C-5 & C-6) Project, Summary & Recommendations" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Japan International Cooperation Agency : Government of the Philippines, Counterpart Study Team. March 1980. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Katahira & Engineers International (October 29, 1993). "Metro Manila Urban Expressway System Study" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency (Report). Almec Corporation. March 1999. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  15. ^ The Development of The Public-private Partnership Technique for The Metro Manila Urban Expressway Network (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency (Report). Vol. 1. Almec Corporation. March 2003. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "Feasibility study for Manila-Bataan coastal road and its related roads (C-5 & C-6) project : final report; Vol. 1, 2. -Contents: Vol. 1: Main report -- Vol. 2: General study of Manila-Bataan coastal road (Phase II)".
  17. ^ Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency (Report). Almec Corporation. March 1999. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  18. ^ G.R. No. 169917 (October 19, 2010), Francisco, Jr. vs. Toll Regulatory Board, Supreme Court E-Library, retrieved June 8, 2024
  19. ^ The Development of The Public-private Partnership Technique for The Metro Manila Urban Expressway Network (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency (Report). Vol. 1. Almec Corporation. March 2003. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  20. ^ Publisher, Web (2013-02-25). "NLEX Harbor Link to start soon". PortCalls Asia. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  21. ^ "MNTC starts construction of roads connecting NLEX from all directions". GMA News and Public Affairs. April 2, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  22. ^ "NLEX's Segment 8.1 opens today, June 5" (Press release). Manila North Tollways Corporation. June 5, 2010. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  23. ^ "PGMA inaugurates P2.1-B NLEX-Mindanao Avenue Link". Philippines News Agency. June 5, 2010. Archived from the original on November 19, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  24. ^ Reyes, Mary Ann L.L. (July 12, 2015). "Seamless travel". The Philippine Star. PhilStar Daily, Inc. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  25. ^ Mangunay, Kristine Felisse; Montecillo, Paolo G. (February 13, 2013). "NLEx Harbor Link expressway breaks ground; new road seen to ease Metro traffic". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  26. ^ "NLEX concessionaire breaks ground for Harbor Link Segment 10". TopGear Philippines. March 4, 2014.
  27. ^ Paz, Chrisee De La (2017-08-15). "Metro Pacific starts NLEX Harbor Link's R10 section". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  28. ^ "Duterte leads inauguration of NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, groundbreaking of NLEX Connector". NLEX Corporation. February 28, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  29. ^ Laurel, Drei (March 1, 2019). "NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is finally open". Top Gear Philippines. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  30. ^ Manabat, Jacque (July 21, 2015). "MNTC eyes completing NLEX-Harbor Link by Dec 2016". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  31. ^ Rey, Aika (February 22, 2020). "NLEX Harbor Link Malabon Exit open to motorists". Rappler. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  32. ^ "NLEX opens latest Harbor Link section". CNN Philippines. June 15, 2020. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  33. ^ "FIRST QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL RESULTS ANALYSTS' BRIEFING" (PDF). Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. May 5, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  34. ^ a b "Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Summary for the Public in English NLEX-C5 (Segment 8.2) North Link Project" (PDF). Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Division. March 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  35. ^ "Road and Bridge Inventory". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  36. ^ "MNTC | Projects". Manila North Tollways Corporation. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  37. ^ "Silip sa Sauyo at Proyektong NLEX 8.2". Manila Today (in Filipino). September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  38. ^ "Right of way issue delays NLEX segment". The Manila Times. June 8, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  39. ^ Tuquero, Loreben (November 12, 2019). "House panel wants in-city relocation for 18k informal settlers along QC's Segment 8.2". Rappler. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  40. ^ Yalao, Khriscielle (January 28, 2024). "NLEX revs up expansion of C5-Link, SCTEX". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  41. ^ "Toll Table". NLEX Corporation. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  42. ^ "NLEX-C5 (Segment 8.2) North Link Project" (PDF). Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Division. August 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  43. ^ "NLEX Harbor Link C3-R10 Section Progress Video (as of June 1, 2020)". YouTube. June 1, 2020.
  44. ^ a b Patinio, Ferdinand (June 15, 2020). "NLEX Harbor Link C3-R10 section now open to motorists". Philippine News Agency.
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