The Pampanga Business Circle has issued a strong appeal to government agencies and local officials to expedite the completion of a crucial connector road that would link to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). This urgent call aims to tackle the escalating traffic gridlock plaguing the area surrounding the Mexico Toll Plaza, which has become a daily headache for commuters and commercial operators alike.
Urgent Appeal for Infrastructure Completion
In two formal letters dated February 9, 2026, Rene G. Romero, a senior fellow of the Pampanga Business Circle, addressed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units. Romero emphasized the critical need to finalize the remaining segment of the San Fernando Tourism Road, which is designed to connect MacArthur Highway in Barangay Del Rosario directly to the Mexico Toll Plaza.
According to Romero, the road construction is nearly finished but has halted just a few meters short of the NLEX perimeter fence. This incomplete section currently prevents the road from serving as a viable alternate route to the expressway, forcing all vehicles to funnel through already overwhelmed access points.
Coordinated Efforts Requested
The business leader specifically wrote to DPWH-3 Director Arnold R. Ocampo and Mayor Vilma Balle Caluag, seeking immediate coordination to push the project toward completion. Romero highlighted the severe consequences of the missing connector, stating that it contributes to daily gridlock and significant travel delays for both private motorists and commercial vehicles.
He elaborated that once operational, this connector road would provide a direct and efficient approach to the expressway. It would divert a substantial volume of vehicles away from overloaded intersections, reduce congestion along the Mexico-Calulut corridor and adjacent junctions, and enhance overall traffic distribution and travel efficiency throughout the region.
Strategic Importance Beyond Convenience
Romero stressed that completing this road is not merely a convenience project but a strategic traffic decongestion measure. He argued that it would improve road safety, mobility, and economic flow in the area, benefiting local businesses and residents by streamlining transportation networks.
Additional Recommendations for Toll Plaza Improvements
In a separate letter addressed to NLEX Corp. President Luis S. Reñon, Romero called for a formal review of the intersection layout at the toll plaza entrance. He described this area as a significant bottleneck, especially during peak hours, where vehicles from the Mexico-Calulut-Anao corridor and other points converge within a confined space.
Romero pointed out that large trucks and buses often struggle with limited turning space, sometimes causing abrupt slowdowns and blocking adjacent lanes. To address these issues, he recommended several key improvements:
- Simplifying access points to reduce complexity
- Enhancing turning radii to accommodate larger vehicles more safely
- Separating local traffic from expressway-bound traffic to minimize conflicts
Additionally, Romero suggested conducting a feasibility study on implementing a compact roundabout at the intersection. This measure could potentially reduce traffic conflict points and improve overall flow at this critical juncture.
Broad Distribution of Concerns
Copies of all letters were furnished to Governor Lilia "Nanay" Pineda and Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., chair of the Regional Development Council 3, ensuring that regional leadership is fully aware of these pressing infrastructure needs. The Pampanga Business Circle's comprehensive approach underscores the multifaceted nature of traffic management and the importance of collaborative solutions between public and private sectors.
