The 7.70-kilometer (4.78 mi) elevated expressway is divided into two sections: Section 1, spanning 5.15 kilometers (3.20 mi) from Caloocan to España, and Section 2, spanning 2.55 kilometers (1.58 mi) from España to Santa Mesa.^[1] The maximum speed limit on the expressway is 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) for light vehicles, buses, and vans and 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph) for trucks.^[6]

Caloocan to España edit

The expressway starts at Caloocan Interchange in Caloocan, branching from NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10. It slightly curves to the west as it approaches Manila, crossing streets such as Hermosa Street and Solis Street in Tondo. It then curves to the east as it runs parallel to Antipolo Street towards Santa Cruz. It then rises up as it passes above the Blumentritt LRT station at Rizal Avenue. It then curves to the southeast, crossing Dimasalang Street, entering Sampaloc, and more streets in the district including España Boulevard, where Section 1 ends.

España to Magsaysay edit

Past España, Section 2 commences. It crosses above more streets in Sampaloc. It then curves as it crosses Magsaysay Boulevard, its current southern terminus, and beneath the viaduct of LRTA's Line 2 system. It would terminate near the Polytechnic University of the Philippines campus in Santa Mesa, where it will be continued by the Skyway 3–NLEX Connector link of Skyway Stage 3.

There were several plans to make a highway connecting the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) before. In 1993, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a study on the proposed urban expressway system in Metro Manila, wherein both expressways were planned to be connected through various highways along the Radial Road 3, Circumferential Road 3, and Radial Road 9 alignments. The R-10A alignment that would connect C-3 to Tutuban through the Philippine National Railways right-of-way was also included in the plan as well.^[7] During the latter part of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's presidency, Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPTDC) later offered an unsolicited proposal to build the highway,^[8] also known as the NLEX–SLEX Skyway Connector.^[9] It was originally to run from Circumferential Road 3 in Caloocan to Buendia Avenue in Makati. However, the southern end was later transferred to Santa Mesa, Manila as the right-of-way of Santa Mesa–Buendia alignment is held by Skyway Stage 3 of the rival Citra Central Expressway Corporation (now SMC Skyway Stage 3 Corporation).^[10]

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board led by President Benigno Aquino III conditionally approved the proposal in 2012 after delays due to cost issues on its "common alignment;" it was later approved for the first time in 2013.^[11] However, the project was met with a series of reviews and disagreements on its implementation during the latter part of the second Aquino administration.^[12]

Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) secured a ₱23.2-billion deal to build, operate, and maintain the highway on July 25, 2016 and were also awarded the concession later on November 23.^[13][14] It was soon known as the NLEX Connector.^[15] It is estimated to cost ₱17 billion, but as an "all-elevated" or completely grade-separated structure, right-of-way acquisition shall be reduced to an estimated cost of only ₱2.41 billion. Its construction takes into consideration the upcoming parallel construction of the southern segment of the North–South Commuter Railway.

NLEX Connector broke ground on February 28, 2019, with President Rodrigo Duterte leading the groundbreaking ceremony.^[16] DMCI undertook the civil works for Section 1,^[15] while China Road and Bridge Corporation handled the construction of Section 2.^[17] To make way for the planned section which would traverse below the viaduct of LRTA's Line 2 system, the Magsaysay Flyover along Magsaysay Boulevard was decommissioned in late 2022.^[18] Section 1 was inaugurated on March 27, 2023, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.^[19] The expressway was opened toll-free, pending the approval of rates by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

On June 27, 2023, TRB "provisionally" approved toll rates for Section 1.^[20] Toll collection on the expressway later began on August 8.^[21]

On October 28, 2023 at 12:01 AM (PHT), the initial 1.8-kilometer (1.1 mi) portion of Section 2 from España to Magsaysay was opened to motorists, ahead of the 2023 barangay and SK elections, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day.^[2]

As of August 2023, the NLEX Connector employs a barrier toll system, with a fixed toll rate for motorists. Currently, the España Toll Plaza in Sampaloc, Manila serves as the toll collection point. Similar to other NLEX Corporation expressways, Easytrip Services Corporation operates the electronic toll collection (ETC) system that is fully implemented on this expressway.^[22]

Tolls are charged based on class; it will eventually be based on distance as well, but it has not been implemented yet until further notice.^[2][23] In accordance with the law, all toll rates include a 12% value-added tax.

This entire route is located in Metro Manila. Exits will be numbered by kilometer posts, with Rizal Park in Manila designated as kilometer zero. 

• List of expressways in the Philippines