MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the road infrastructure arm of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is ready to deliver the first section of the P10-billion C5 South Link Expressway Project of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) by the first quarter of next year.
MPTC said construction of the first 2.2 kilometer (km) section, which connects C5 to Merville, is proceeding as scheduled and is eyed for completion within the first quarter of 2019.
In its entirety, the 7.7-kilometer, six-lane C5 South Link will seamlessly connect Circumferential Road 5 or C5 to CAVITEX via Merville and Sucat.
The project is expected to benefit 50,000 vehicles by decongesting Sales Road in Pasay and EDSA when it starts commercial operations.
Travel time from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite to Taguig will be cut to 20 to 30 minutes from the usual one and a half hour drive with the direct access to C5.
“C5 South Link is progressing as scheduled. When completed, the road will provide motorists from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite direct access to C5,” said Luigi Bautista, president and CEO of the Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., the concessionaire of CAVITEX.
“We also want to inform the public that by the end of September, we will be launching girders that will cross the at-grade portion of Skyway and South Luzon Expressway. This is a critical activity of the project and we expect substantial completion after the girders are installed,” he said.
Bautista said the company is seeking the understanding and patience of all motorists using the Skyway and SLEX between Nichols Toll Plaza and Bicutan and is advising them to plan their trips and look for alternative routes, as partial closure of Skyway and SLEX during off-peak hours is necessary when it positions and installs the girders.
“For the safety of the motorists and of our construction personnel, a stop-and-go traffic with 15 minute intervals will be implemented, between 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. from Sept. 29 to Nov. 22. On-ground traffic support will be deployed to ensure motorists are assisted and guided,” he said.
“We are working closely with MMDA, DOTR, DPWH and the Taguig, Pasay and Parañaque LGUs on the proposed traffic management plan. The completion of the launching should allow us to complete and open the Merville section of C5 South Link by the end of March of 2019,” Bautista said.
Aside from the CAVITEX, MPTC operates the North Luzon Expressway, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and is currently constructing the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and soon, the Connector Road.