[ Manila Bulletin Online ] July 6, 2008
SUBIC FREEPPORT -- The Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) is undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to become as good as new next month.
The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), which is overseeing the repair work, said the 8.6-kilometer road "has served its full 10-year design life," but will be restored to its original state as MNTC gives it a new lease on life.
MNTC is also the builder and concessionaire of the 84-kilometer North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
With 40 percent of the job already done, MNTC engineers are optimistic they will hit their target completion date, which is Aug. 15.
The SFEX was constructed in 1995-1996 and was completed in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting in Subic.
The road was opened to traffic in November 1996 and has not undergone any major pavement repair since then.
MNTC Senior Vice President for Operations Luigi L. Bautista said that because of effective maintenance, the roadway has endured the daily traffic pounding it. "This is the first time that we are implementing the rehabilitation work," Bautista said.
The project included the rehabilitation of the "heavily travelled" east-bound lanes. This involved the removal of existing asphalt pavement and, if necessary, the structural base material may also be replaced in same sections.
"After the rehabilitation of the base material at specific locations, a complete overlay of the entire 8.6-kilometer stretch of the SFEX would be carried out and to complete the repair, new thermoplastic pavement marking would be installed," Bautista said.
The MNTC assured motorists that despite the maintenance work, vehicle flow would remain smooth through proper traffic management, and deployment of enough number of enforcers.
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