Smart Connect Interchange

The Smart Connect Interchange, also known as the Mindanao Avenue Interchange and the Harbor Link interchange, is a two-level cloverleaf interchange in Valenzuela, Metro Manila, the Philippines which serves as the junction between Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx). Built as part of the 2.7-kilometer (1.7 mi) NLEx–Mindanao Avenue Link segment extending the expressway to Mindanao Avenue,[1] which has since been incorporated into the C-5 system, it is the Philippines' largest cloverleaf interchange in terms of land area.[2]

Smart Connect Interchange
Mindanao Avenue Interchange
Harbor Link interchange
The Smart Connect Interchange in 2018, looking west from Circumferential Road 5.
Location
Valenzuela, Metro Manila, Philippines
Coordinates14°41′36.7″N 121°0′1.6″E
Roads at
junction		 Circumferential Road 5
North Luzon Expressway
Construction
TypeTwo-level cloverleaf interchange
Constructed2009–2010 by Leighton Contractors Asia Ltd
OpenedJune 5, 2010 (2010-06-05)
Maintained byDepartment of Public Works and Highways
Manila North Tollways Corporation

History

Construction of the NLEx–Mindanao Avenue Link, including the Smart Connect Interchange, broke ground on April 2, 2009,[3] with actual construction work beginning on April 21, 2009.[4]

The entire segment was opened to traffic on June 5, 2010, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Manila North Tollways Corporation, the concessionaire of the North Luzon Expressway, leading the inauguration along with Victor Domingo, Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and high-ranking officials from Valenzuela.[5] With some 30,000 vehicles estimated to use the new road daily during its first year of operation,[4] since its opening it has helped to relieve traffic on the older Balintawak Interchange connecting Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to the NLEx,[6] which is three times smaller.[4]

Although the Smart Connect Interchange was opened to traffic in 2010, it originally only carried traffic between Valenzuela and eastern Metro Manila, with the westbound ramps closed to traffic. Work on a connection between the interchange and western Metro Manila would only be realized with the construction of the 2.42-kilometer (1.50 mi) NLEx–Karuhatan Link, or NLEx Segment 9, between the interchange and the MacArthur Highway, which opened on March 19, 2015.[7] A further extension to the Port of Manila, known as NLEx Segment 10, which opened on March 1, 2019.

On November 16, 2012,[8] Smart Communications bought the naming rights to the interchange, giving it its current name.[9]

References
  1. "MNTC ready to undertake NLEX-C5 road link proj". The Philippine Star. PhilStar Daily, Inc. April 30, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  2. "MNTC starts construction of roads connecting NLEX from all directions". GMA News and Public Affairs. April 2, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  3. "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.
  4. "PGMA inaugurates P2.1-B NLEX-Mindanao Avenue Link". Philippines News Agency. June 5, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  5. Reyes, Mary Ann LL. (July 12, 2015). "Seamless travel". The Philippine Star. PhilStar Daily, Inc. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  6. "NLEX's Segment 9 opens Thursday". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. March 18, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  7. Smart Communications [@LiveSmart] (November 16, 2012). "MOA signing for the SMART CONNECT Interchange. The largest cloverleaf in the Phil now sports a new name. twitpic.com/bdkqy1" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. "Smart, MNTC, Voyager tie up for interactive mobile messaging" (Press release). Smart Communications. July 26, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
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