NLEX keen on Port Expressway Link project

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is keen on pursuing its massive unsolicited proposal to construct an expressway linking the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex), with hopes of securing the green light from the government this year.

“If it will be approved, the intention of the NLEX Corp. is to be able to build it in phases because the extent of the project is really big. You cannot construct it in one go because of the huge capital expense,” said Luigi Bautista, president and general manager of MPTC-unit NLEX Corp.

“The project cost is not final, but based on our estimate, it’s about P95 billion to P100 billion. It’s a huge project,” he said, referring to the proposed NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway Link project.

At present, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark VIllar said his agency is still in the process of evaluating the project for original proponent status (OPS).

“We’re working on it. There are still some additional requirements. It is still under evaluation so there is still no OPS,” Villar said.

The NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway Link is a proposed 15-kilometer expressway with six lanes (2x3 configuration) combined elevated and tunnel expressway from NLEX Segment 10 up to Cavitex which will provide an ideal truck route directly linked to Manila Port Area.

It is divided into three sections which are C3 Road to Anda Circle (5.7 km), Connection from Cavitex to Buendia Ave. (4.8 km), and Buendia Ave. to Anda Circle (4.6 km).

The project seeks to reduce truck traffic within its limited capacity road network and significantly contribute to the decongestion of the metropolis 24 hours a day.
MPTC said earlier that it is also eyeing to commence construction of a P16-billion elevated expressway extension of the Harbor Link this year.

Dubbed as the Harbor Link Port Access Mobility Facility, the project aims to improve access to the port area in Manila as it would continue the Harbor Link from C3 corner Navotas interchange all the way to Anda Circle.

The project, which is within the scope of MPTC’s existing concession, is still under evaluation of the Toll Regulatory Board.