Subic Freeport Expressway

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.

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]

• 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)

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.

Source: Toll Regulatory Board

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