MNTC awards contracts for 2.7-kilometer NLEX segment

MANILA, Philippines - Construction of a P2.1-billion, 2.7-kilometer toll road linking Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Valenzuela City is in full swing following the award of contracts to two foreign-based contractors.

Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) president Rodrigo E. Franco said the civil works contract worth P1.4-billion was awarded to Leighton Contractors (Asia) Ltd., while the fixed operating equipment (FOE) supply and installation contract worth P148.4-million went to Egis Projects Philippines Inc.

Leighton and Egis were expected to complete the works in 365 days including quality tests on the project called Segment 8.1 of NLEX Phase 2.

Franco said contracts were awarded to Leighton and Egis as a result of a competitive bidding process, and “after due consideration and evaluation of enterprises that are very familiar with and have significant experience in toll road development in the Philippines.” Both Leighton and Egis hold global leadership positions in their areas of expertise.

Leighton and Egis were also involved in the construction of the 84-kilometer NLEX Phase 1 linking Balintawak in Caloocan City and Sta. Ines in Mabalacat, Pampanga, thus already familiar with their new assignments.

Segment 8.1 is designed to provide access to the NLEX main for motorists coming from Quezon City and other areas east of Metro Manila. It will have a toll collection system similar to that of the NLEX, along with other service amenities such as traffic management and communication system, media lighting, lane markings, emergency call boxes and laybays. These facilities will be fully integrated with the existing systems at the NLEX main.

The construction of Segment 8.1 is the first component of NLEX Phase project, worth P12.1 billion, consisting of three satellite toll road projects with a total length of 22.7 kilometers.

NLEX Phase 2 will provide access to the NLEX main from all four directions — north, east, west and south — of Metro Manila, thereby significantly mitigating traffic jams in the metropolis.