Subic–Tipo Expressway, also known as NLEx Segment 7, and Subic Freeport Expressway, is a two-lane expressway in the Philippines approximately in length whose alignment traverses the provinces of Zambales and Bataan. The entire expressway is designated as Expressway 4 of the Philippine expressway network.
Route description
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 a national park and there are two Total service areas, with one before the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authoritysecurity 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. Upon entering SCTEX, there is a toll plaza and the road forks into two, the left towards Jose Abad Santos Avenue and the right is a toll plaza leading to SCTEX.
Future expansion
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.
Subic–Tipo Expressway or Subic Freport Expressway employs a barrier toll system, where motorists that use this expressway but not SCTEX 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 to SFEX at Tipo Interchange. This is because SCTEX and NLEX are an integrated closed system since 2016. The electronic toll collection 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.
