The prospects of connecting C-5 to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) have become brighter with the homestretch efforts of the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) to begin the construction of NLEX -Segment 8.1. The concession company for the 84-km NLEX, MNTC is majority-owned by First Philippine Infrastructure Investments (FPII), a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC). FPII will soon be named Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.

NLEX Segment 8.1 is a 2.7 two-lane kilometer expressway that will link Mindanao Ave.to NLEX. According to plans, a toll plaza will be built on Mindanao Ave. where motorists can enter and exit the NLEX thereby easing the traffic congestion on EDSA Balintawak.

"Segment 8.1 will facilitate a seamless connection of C-5 to the world-class NLEX, one of the priorities of President Arroyo in her bid to decongest Metro Manila and provide relief to motorists dealing with heavy traffic everyday" said Ramoncito S. Fernandez, FPII President and CEO.

MNTC's Segment 8.1 teams are expediting the remaining construction components, and are coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Toll Regulatory Board and other government agencies for completing the remaining right-of-way requirements of the project. The National Housing Authority is managing the relocation of the settlers.

In the President's 2006 and 2007 State of the Nation Address, she emphasized the strategic importance of these seamless connections, with the ultimate dream to connect South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) with NLEX, the FPII executive pointed out.

Segment 8.1construction will begin in March and is expected to be completed in April 2010. "We expect the construction activities to stimulate the economy in the environs of the areas where the roadway will be built – and will directly create some 600 jobs" said Rodrigo E. Franco, MNTC president and CEO.

While MNTC will build the 2.7 km. stretch, the DPWH, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Quezon City government are jointly overseeing the parallel efforts of building the road and other infrastructure connecting Mindanao Avenue to C-5 through Katipunan Avenue.