SMC unit expects TRB okay for P27-B connector road

MANILA, Philippines - Citra Central Expressway Corp., a unit of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), expects to receive the Toll Regulatory Board approval for the construction of the P27-billion toll road connecting the North Luzon and South Luzon.

The company said construction of several columns along Osmeña Highway as part of the project’s advance works would start immediately after receiving the notice from the regulator.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued ECC-NCR-1206-0126 and DNF-UFD-C/B P#2013-07-123 allowing the cutting and balling of trees as well as the planting of seedlings along the project alignment from Buendia to the corner of Quirino Avenue.

The Skyway Stage 3 team would also enclose or board-up the project’s work site occupying the center island and two of the five southbound travel lanes along Osmena Highway from F. Torres Street towards Quirino Avenue in Manila to begin excavation, foundation and column works.

To minimize the public inconvenience, the Skyway Stage 3 team has started to coordinate with the concerned local government unit (LGU), the local traffic police force, and the barangays within its jurisdiction and the Metro Manila Development Authority in implementing traffic re-routing and counterflow, if needed.

All the safety devices would also be put in place and adequate number of traffic personnel will be deployed in the work area to assist motorists.

Timely advisories, through signages, broadcast media, leaflets and social media sites, will also be made.

“The Skyway Stage 3 appeals for public understanding and cooperation and will do everything possible, to keep traffic moving and keep the motorists, commuters and workers alike safe at all times,” the company said.

The Skyway Stage 3 project is a 14.8-km.  6-lane elevated expressway that would connect NLEX and SLEX from the Buendia-end of the Skyway in Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City.

SMC president Ramon S. Ang earlier said the project would decongest the major roads of Metro Manila, particularly EDSA and C-5 and reduce travel time from Buendia to Balintawak to 20 minutes or less from two hours.

Aside from SMC, other shareholders of Citra Central Expressway include Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada and the state-run Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC).

The company expects to start full-scale construction by April this year and complete the project in 36 months.

Late last September, Malacañang gave CCEC the green light to start the construction of the 14.8-kilometer connector road starting at the end of the existing Skyway Stage 1 in Buendia would run through the length of Osmena Highway, Quirino Ave., Paco, Sta. Mesa via the Nagtahan flyovers, traverse Aurora Blvd and Araneta Ave. up to Sgt Rivera Road and end at the bend of A Bonifacio Ave. towards NLEX.