The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation has set for completion in 2022 a package of road infrastructure projects with a combined project budget of P28 billion. Some of these projects have begun right-of-way acquisition efforts and are ready for construction, while other projects are awaiting government approval.
This was disclosed by Raul L. Ignacio, MPTC Chief TollwayDevelopment Officer, pointing out that these are “stimulus projects,which are meant to contribute to the government’s top priority goal for the country’s quick economic recovery.”These stimulus projects, he added, will create employment, improve mobility of essential goods and services, stimulate inter-regional development and reduce traffic congestion.
Ignacio Identified the four notable projects, which belong to the alignments of the North Luzon Expressway and the Cavite Expressway. Now in various stages of development and construction, the projects are the following:
The first project is theP10 billion NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway Section 1, which is a 5.1-kilometer stretch to Anda Circle from the C3-R10 Navotas Interchange of the NLEX Harbor Link. It will extend the NLEX direct to the Manila Ports via an elevated expressway over the Mel Lopez Boulevard from Navotas through Tayuman, Morionesand then to Anda Circle, around the area of the Manila South Harbor.
The Port Link aims to decongest the local roads by diverting cargo trucks to the elevated expressway. In turn, this new truck route will be available 24/7, without truck ban, providing savings in time and vehicle operating costs for the truckers.
The second project is theP12 billion Section 3 of NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway, which will link CAVITEX to Gil J. Puyat Avenue via another elevated expressway. Coming from the south, this CAVITEX extension will be a 4.8-kilometer elevated expressway above Diosdado Macapagal Avenue.
The third project is the P2 billion C5 North Link Section 1of NLEX. This 2-kilometer stretch will extend the NLEX Harbor Link towards
Quezon City, and connect eventually to the C5 Expressway.
The 2-kilometer Section 3B of C5 South Link Segments 2 & 3, is the fourth project,extending CAVITEX farther from the south to the C5 Expressway in the east through the cities of Paranaque, Pasay and Taguig C5 South Link Segments 2 and 3 , a 7.7 kilometer road, will complete the expressway that will link CAVITEX’s Paranaque toll plaza to C5 in
Taguig.It will reduce travel time from CAVITEX to Makati from one hour and a half hour to 30 minutes, since EDSA, MIA Road and other adjacent major roads shall have been decongested.
Based on project feasibility studies behind the four stimulus projects, Ignacio cited the benefits of “connectivity, traffic
decongestion, and support for government economic stimulus.”
“With these projects, the major sea ports and airports to north and south destinations are connected, without the constraints of a truck ban,” he pointed out. “These projects will enable hauler trucks to achieve 24/7 unimpeded delivery of goods,” he added.
These four stimulus projects will divert high-value long haul trips and cargo trucks from local roads to these truck ban-free expressways, thereby dramatically decongesting traffic, he added.
And, for the present government, Ignacio declared: “These projects will definitely support government economic stimulus programs, including creating jobs during and after construction.”
