Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPTDC) has formally submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the post award requirements for the North Luzon Expressway – South Luzon Expressway (NLEX-SLEX) Connector Road Project.
DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar received from Metro Pacific Investment Corporation Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan the required documents for the effectivity of the issued DPWH Notice of Award to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the elevated toll highway that would connect North and South Luzon Expressways.
The requirements submitted include construction performance security and letter of intent to lend for the funding of the project from reputable financial institution.
With a total estimated cost of Php 23.2 billion, the eight-kilometer four-lane elevated expressway project starts from the end of Segment 10 of North Luzon Expressway at Circumferential Road 3 (C-3) in Caloocan City to Polytechnic University of the Philippines campus in Sta. Mesa and connect to the common point of Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3. This will reduce travel time between NLEX to SLEX from 1.5 to 2 hours to just 15-20 minutes.
The expressway project will have two (2) interchanges at C-3 Road, Caloocan City and España, Manila.
NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is expected to be completed based on target timeline of September 2020 considering that the concept traversing over Philippine National Railway (PNR) track will require minimum right of way acquisition and minimize if not totally eliminate compensation cost and adverse impacts normally associated with infrastructure development activities.
As early as August 2012, the DPWH has secured “no objection” from Department of Transportation on the use of the PNR Right of Way.
NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project is an unsolicited proposal of proponent MPTDC subjected to Swiss Challenge in April 2016 but saw no counter offers during the July 2016 submission from prospective comparative/competitive proponents.
As an initiative to resolve traffic congestion, the DPWH supports the business development endeavors being pursued by both the public and private sectors to implement important infrastructure projects to meet present and future capacity requirements.
When completed, the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is envisioned to support economic growth characterized with increasing business activities, investments, and movement of goods, people and services in addition to the success of several completed and on-going Public Private Partnership (PPP) undertakings such as Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, NAIA Expressway Phase II, and Cavite-Laguna (CALA) Expressway
Next activity after the issuance of Notice of Award will be the signing of Toll Concession Agreement.