Subic Freeport Expressway

The Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX), formerly referred to as the Subic–Tipo Expressway and NLEX Segment 7, is a 8.8-kilometer (5.5 mi) four-lane expressway that connects the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway to the Subic Freeport Zone in the Philippines. Its alignment traverses the provinces of Bataan and Zambales.

Subic Freeport Expressway
Subic–Tipo Expressway NLEX Segment 7
View of the expressway eastward to Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway in Hermosa
Route information
Maintained by Tollways Management Corporation
Length	8.8 km[1] (5.5 mi)
Existed	1996–present
Component highways	E4
Major junctions
East end	N3 (Jose Abad Santos Avenue) in Dinalupihan, Bataan
	E4 (Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway) in Hermosa, Bataan
West end	Rizal Highway and Maritan Highway in Subic Freeport Zone, Olongapo
Location
Provinces	Bataan, Zambales
Major cities	Olongapo
Towns	Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Morong
Highway system
Roads in the Philippines Highways Expressways List

The expressway forms part of Expressway 4 (E4) of the Philippine expressway network.

Route description

SFEX, before the capacity expansion project.

Beginning at the intersection of Rizal and Maritan Highways, the expressway runs northward traversing the wetlands of the former Naval Exchange going towards Argonaut Highway. The alignment curves to the right as it crosses Argonaut Highway and goes up as it enters the Bataan National Park. The alignment then veers on a southeasterly direction traversing the side slopes of the mountain. The road enters Bataan as it exits the national park and there are two Total service areas, with one before the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) security checkpoint for southbound lanes and near the checkpoint for northbound lanes. It would then curve westward, eastward, pass into one river, and repeats the same direction as before. There is an overpass after passing the bridge and before entering Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Upon entering SCTEX, there is a toll plaza and the road forks into two, the left towards Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Olongapo–Gapan Road) and the right is a toll plaza leading to SCTEX.

Future expansion

SFEX tunnel, during the capacity expansion project.

As part of NLEX Corporation's expansion and improvement of its toll roads, the expressway will be expanded to accommodate an additional carriageway inclusive of two bridges and a tunnel parallel to the existing ones. After the upgrade, the expressway will have two lanes each direction from its endpoint at SCTEX to its terminus at Olongapo.[2]

Technical specifications

• Name: Subic Freeport Expressway
• Concession holder: NLEX Corporation
• Operator: Tollways Management Corporation
• Concession starting date: 1996
• Concession ending date: December 31, 2037
• Length: 8.8 km (5.5 mi)
• Highway exits: 3
• Lanes: 4 lanes (2 each direction)
• Toll plazas: 2
• Rest and service areas: 2
• Minimum height clearance on underpasses: 4.88 m (16.0 ft)

Toll

Subic Freport Expressway (SFEX) employs a barrier toll system, where motorists that use exclusively this expressway pay a fixed toll rate. The toll collection is done at the SFEX Toll Plaza in Tipo.

Meanwhile, motorists that originate from SCTEX are charged of toll rates based on the number of kilometers travelled from their entry point at SCTEX or NLEX upon entry on SFEX at Tipo Interchange. Tickets, meanwhile, are issued to eastbound vehicles from SFEX upon entry on SCTEX at Tipo Interchange and are charged at their respective exit points at SCTEX or NLEX. This is since SCTEX and NLEX are an integrated closed system since 2016.[3]

The electronic toll collection (ETC) system on the expressway uses devices branded Easytrip by its concessionaire, NLEX Corporation, and collection are done on mixed lanes at the toll barriers.

Tolls are charged based on class. In accordance with law, all toll rates include a 12% value-added tax.

Class	Toll
Class 1 (Cars, Motorcycles, SUVs, Jeepneys)	₱27.00
Class 2 (Buses, Light Trucks)	₱67.00
Class 3 (Heavy Trucks)	₱80.00

Source: Toll Regulatory Board

Exits

Tipo Interchange in Hermosa, Bataan, before the toll system integration with NLEx.

Jadjad Bridge

Argonaut Bridge

Bridges in SFEX

Province	City/Municipality	km	mi	Destinations	Notes
Bataan	Dinalupihan	91	57	N3 (Jose Abad Santos Avenue)	Eastern terminus
	Hermosa	91	57	SFEX toll plaza (2016–present)
		91	57	E4 (SCTEX) – Clark, Manila, Tarlac City, Baguio	Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
		90	56	Subic–Tipo toll plaza (1996–2016, demolished)
	Morong			Jadjad Bridge
		88	55	Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority security checkpoint
		88	55	Total (Subic Tipo 2) service area (westbound)
		88	55	Holy Land Subic Sanctuary	Trumpet interchange; westbound access via Total (Subic Tipo 2)
		88	55	Total (Subic Tipo) service area (eastbound)
				SFEX Tunnel
Zambales	Olongapo	84	52	Argonaut Highway	Intersection. Temporary access to Argonaut Highway.
				Argonaut Bridge
		83	52	Rizal Highway / Maritan Highway	Western terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Closed/former       Incomplete access       Tolled

See also

• Expressways of the Philippines
• List of expressways in the Philippines

References

1. "Road and Bridge Inventory". Department of Public Works and Highway. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
2. Mercurio, Richmond (September 13, 2019). "NLEX starts P1.6 B SFEX works". The Philippine Star.
3. Lazaro, Ramon Efren (March 19, 2016). "NLEX, SCTEX integrated, eases northbound travel". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 13, 2020.