As a response to the endorsement of various government and non-government units served by NLEx, MNTC (now NLEx, Corp.) identified the need to implement traffic mobility enhancement measures in order to maintain its high level of service to and safety of its motorists. The road widening project is divided into two packages: Package 1 Segment 2 (Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan to San Fernando, Pampanga) and Package 2 Segment 3 (San Fernando to Sta. Ines, Pampanga).
Of the two packages bid out, First Balfour won the tender for Packagge 1 Segment 2. The project expanded the existing two-lane portion of NLEx between Sta. Rita and San Fernando to three lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides covering 24 kilometers on each side, including the construction of emergency lay-by bays and a 320-linear-meter median crossover on the Candaba Viaduct and Pulilan Bridge.
Road Widened: 48-lane km