Subic Freeport Expressway

The Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX), formerly the Subic–Tipo Road, Subic–Tipo Expressway and North Luzon Expressway Segment 7 (NLEX Segment 7), is an 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 Subic–Tipo Road NLEX Segment 7
View of the expressway eastward to Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway in Dinalupihan
Route information
Maintained by NLEX Corporation
Length	8.8 km (5.5 mi)
Existed	1996–present
Component highways	E4
Major junctions
East end	N3 (Jose Abad Santos Avenue) in Dinalupihan
Major intersections	E4 (Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway) in Dinalupihan
West end	Rizal Highway and Maritan Highway in Subic Freeport Zone, Olongapo
Location
Country	Philippines
Provinces	Bataan, Zambales
Major cities	Olongapo
Towns	Dinalupihan and Morong
Highway system
Roads in the Philippines Highways Expressways List
← E3 → E5

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 and 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 in a southeasterly direction, traversing the side slopes of the mountain. The road enters Bataan, exiting the national park. There are two Total service areas: one before the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) security checkpoint for southbound lanes and one near the checkpoint for northbound lanes. It would then curve westward, eastward, pass into one river, and repeat in the same direction. 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.

History

The road, initially known as the Subic–Tipo Road, was built in preparation for the 1996 APEC summit that would be held in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Built by the López-owned First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation (now known as Metro Pacific Investments), the road was inaugurated by Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos on October 13, 1996, one month ahead of the summit. Toll operations began in May 1997.

Expansion

SFEX tunnel during the capacity expansion project

As part of NLEX Corporation's expansion and improvement of its toll roads, the expressway was expanded to accommodate an additional carriageway, including two bridges and a tunnel parallel to the existing ones.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the expansion project was held on September 12, 2019. It was expected to be completed in September 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new carriageway and expansion was opened to traffic on February 19, 2021.

Toll

Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) employs a barrier toll system in which motorists pay a fixed toll rate for using only the expressway. Toll collection is conducted at the SFEX Toll Plaza in Tipo.

Motorists originating from SCTEX are charged toll rates based on the distance traveled from their entry point at SCTEX or NLEX when they enter SFEX at Tipo Interchange. Tickets are issued to eastbound vehicles from SFEX upon entry onto SCTEX at Tipo Interchange, and these vehicles are charged at their respective exit points on SCTEX or NLEX. This system has been used since SCTEX and NLEX integrated a closed system in 2016.

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

Tolls are charged based on class. Under the law, all toll rates include a 12% value-added tax. The toll rates, implemented since June 4, 2024, are as follows:

Class	Toll
Class 1 (Cars, Motorcycles, SUVs, Jeepneys)	₱37.00
Class 2 (Buses, Light Trucks)	₱93.00
Class 3 (Heavy Trucks)	₱112.00

Exits

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

Jadjad Bridge

Argonaut Bridge

SFEX bridges

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

Province	City/Municipality	km	mi	Destinations	Notes
Bataan	Dinalupihan	143	89	N3 (Jose Abad Santos Avenue)	Eastern terminus
		143	89	SFEX toll plaza (2016–present)
		143	89	E4 (SCTEX) – Clark, Manila, Tarlac City, Baguio	Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
		144	89	Subic–Tipo toll plaza (1997–2016, demolished)
	Morong			Jadjad Bridge
		146	91	Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority security checkpoint
		146	91	Total (Subic Tipo 2) service area (westbound)
		146	91	Holy Land Subic Sanctuary	Trumpet interchange; westbound access via Total (Subic Tipo 2)
		146	91	Total (Subic Tipo) service area (eastbound)
				SFEX Tunnel
Zambales	Olongapo	148	92	Argonaut Highway	T-intersection. Temporary access to Argonaut Highway.
				Argonaut Bridge
		150	93	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

• Philippine expressway network
• List of expressways in the Philippines

External links

• Media related to Subic Freeport Expressway at Wikimedia Commons