MPTC to complete P28 billion stimulus projects in 2022'

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) hopes to complete in 2022 P28 billion worth of “stimulus projects” which are seen to help in the country’s economic recovery.

The so-called economic stimulus projects are composed of four road infrastructure which belong to the alignments of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), and are in various stages of development and construction at present.

These are the P10 billion NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway Section 1,  P12 billion Section 3 of NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway, P2 billion C5 North Link Section 1 of NLEX, and the Section 3B of C5 South Link Segments 2 and 3.

MPTC chief tollway development officer Raul Ignacio said the projects would create employment, improve mobility of essential goods and services, stimulate inter-regional development, and reduce traffic congestion.

He said the projects are meant to contribute to the government’s top priority goal for the country’s quick economic recovery.

The NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway Section 1 is a 5.1-kilometer stretch to Anda Circle from the C3-R10 Navotas Interchange of the NLEX Harbor Link.

It will extend the NLEX direct to the Manila ports via an elevated expressway over the Mel Lopez Boulevard from Navotas through Tayuman, Moriones and then to Anda Circle, around the area of the Manila South Harbor.

The Section 3 of NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway, meanwhile, will be a 4.8-kilometer elevated expressway above Diosdado Macapagal Avenue which will link CAVITEX to Gil J. Puyat Avenue.

The C5 North Link Section 1 of NLEX, for its part, is a two-kilometer stretch that will extend the NLEX Harbor Link towards Quezon City and connect eventually to the C5 Expressway.

Lastly, the two-kilometer Section 3B of C5 South Link Segments 2 and 3 will extend CAVITEX farther from the south to the C5 Expressway in the east through the cities of Paranaque, Pasay, and Taguig.

Ignacio said the four projects would divert high-value long haul trips and cargo trucks from local roads to the truck ban-free expressways, thereby dramatically decongesting traffic.

“With these projects, the major sea ports and airports to north and south destinations are connected without the constraints of a truck ban. These projects will enable hauler trucks to achieve 24/7 unimpeded delivery of goods,” Ignacio said.

“These projects will definitely support the government economic stimulus programs, including creating jobs during and after construction,” he said.