Subic-Clark-Tarlac tollway completed by end-2007

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — The P21-billion, 93.7-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway will be completed as scheduled by the end of 2007, Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president and chief executive officer Narciso Abaya said. 

Meanwhile, Abaya disclosed plans to conduct a bidding this year for a private operator of the expressway, which will be the country’s longest tollway once completed.

He said the project’s timetable will not be changed, adding that "close to 12 percent" of the Subic-Clark portion of the superhighway has been accomplished.

He said work on the Clark-Tarlac stretch is "more than 24 percent done."

Abaya placed the overall accomplishment of the project at 17 percent.

In a recent press conference here, President Arroyo said the expressway would be the "longest in the history (of the Philippines)."

Although admitting a "minor slippage of four percent," Abaya said "construction work will be able to catch up with the schedule by the end of the second quarter this year."

Abaya said the BCDA plans to enter into a partnership with the private sector to operate and maintain the expressway.

"The selection of BCDA’s strategic partner for the operation and maintenance of (the expressway) will be done through competitive bidding. We want them on board before the end of 2006 in preparation for the operation of the (expressway) by the end of 2007," he said.

The four-lane toll road network will connect the industrial, transport and business hubs of Subic, Clark and Tarlac.

It is largely funded by a special yen loan package extended by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to the BCDA.

"The expressway is a vital infrastructure component of the so-called ‘global gateways initiative’ of the Arroyo administration and an important anchor of the President’s 10-point program," Abaya said.

He said the expressway "will link the key infrastructure facilities as well as the commercial, industrial and tourism centers of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Clark special economic zone, and the Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac."

"Together, these economic zones add to over 100,000 hectares of commercial, industrial, and tourism opportunities," he said.

Abayat said the project would boost local employment.

"During the construction phase, a peak of 5,000 workers daily will be employed to build the length of 93 kilometers, eight interchanges, four major bridges, and 29 minor bridges," he said.

Negotiations for the toll operations agreement are now ongoing between the BCDA and the Toll Regulatory Board.

"I expect the toll rates to be reasonable, considering the world-class road facility that the rising and commuting public will be enjoying," Abaya said.

In the future, he said the expressway will be extended to as far north as Rosario, La Union, ending at the foot of Kennon Road going to Baguio City.