DOTC clears MPTDC-led NLEX-SLEX road project

MANILA, Philippines - The Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan has secured the go-signal of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to proceed with their big-ticket North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEX-SLEX) connector road project which is estimated to cost as much as P23.6 billion.

With the clearance, the MPTDC expects to start construction by next year and complete the project and make it fully operational by the latter part of 2015 or the first quarter of 2016.

The MPTDC completed negotiations with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and received a “no objection” response from the DOTC and TRB after making a presentation of their unsolicited proposal at the TRB last week.

“We are elated by the positive feedback from the DPWH and the DOTC regarding our proposal to build the NLEX-SLEX road connector project,” MPTDC president Ramon Fernandez said.

“We are optimistic the approval of the DPWH and DOTC will soon pave the way for us to proceed in constructing this vital road connector project that is envisioned to ease the burden of millions of motorists in Metro Manila,” Fernandez added.

Fernandez said that the “no objection” response to their proposal would allow them to focus on negotiations for the common segment of the project with the San Miguel Corporation-Citra group, which would also build a similar NLEX-SLEX Connector project.

“This is open for discussions with SMC-Citra, which is the other project proponent. We will abide by what President Aquino has mandated on the matter,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez added that the TRB, in a recent board meeting attended by DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, is just waiting for an agreement between MPTDC and Citra on the common segment before allowing the Skyway to proceed.

MPTDC anticipates that its proposal would be submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) this month for review and approval. Afterwards it expects a Swiss Challenge to follow.

Once completed, the proposed connector road would connect the North Luzon Expressway through the Harbor Link, and Skyway in Buendia.

In their presentation before the DOTC and TRB, the MPTDC said their estimated project cost of the road connector would reach P19 billion, plus right of way costs of P4.6 billion, and their timetable for completion of Segment 9, at the end of 2013; segment 10- end of 2014, and connector, end of 2015 or 1st quarter 2016.

MPTDC is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) which undertook the massive rehabilitation and expansion and current maintenance and operation of the NLEX. Under an agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), it also maintains and operates the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

The MPTC and its tollway operation unit, the Tollways Management Corp. are the management arms of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the investment firm of Pangilinan.