| Country: | PHL |
| Type: | E |
| Route: | 4 |
| Subic Freeport Expressway | |
| Alternate Name: | Subic–Tipo Expressway Subic–Tipo Road NLEX Segment 7 |
| Image Notes: | View of the expressway eastward to Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway in Dinalupihan |
| Length Km: | 8.8 |
| Length Round: | 1 |
| Maint: | NLEX Corporation |
| Length Ref: | [1] |
| Established: | 1996 |
| Direction A: | East |
| Terminus A: | in Dinalupihan |
| Junction: | in Dinalupihan |
| Direction B: | West |
| Terminus B: | Rizal Highway and Maritan Highway in Subic Freeport Zone, Olongapo |
| Provinces: | Bataan, Zambales |
| Towns: | Dinalupihan and Morong |
| Cities: | Olongapo |
| Previous Type: | E |
| Next Type: | E |
| Previous Route: | 3 |
| Next Route: | 5 |
The Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX), formerly referred to as the Subic–Tipo Road, Subic–Tipo Expressway and North Luzon Expressway Segment 7 (NLEX Segment 7), is a 8.8km (05.5miles) 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.
The expressway forms part of Expressway 4 (E4) of the Philippine expressway network.
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.
The road, initially known as the Subic–Tipo Road, was built in preparation for the 1996 APEC summit that would be held in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.[2] Built by the First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation (which later formed what is now NLEX Corporation), the road was inaugurated by Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos on October 13, 1996, one month ahead of the summit.[3] Toll operations began in May 1997.[4]
As part of NLEX Corporation's expansion and improvement of its toll roads, the expressway was expanded to accommodate an additional carriageway inclusive of two bridges and a tunnel parallel to the existing ones.[5]
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.[6]
Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) employs a barrier toll system, where 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 in place since SCTEX and NLEX integrated a closed system in 2016.[7]
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. The toll rates, implemented since June 4, 2024, are as follows:[8]
| Class | Toll |
|---|---|
| Class 1 (Cars, Motorcycles, SUVs, Jeepneys) | |
| Class 2 (Buses, Light Trucks) | |
| Class 3 (Heavy Trucks) | |