The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) has set for completion by 2022 a package of toll road infrastructure projects with a combined project budget of P28 billion. Some of these projects have begun right-of-way acquisition and are ready for construction, while other projects are awaiting the usual government approvals.

This was disclosed by Raul L. Ignacio, MPTC Chief Tollway Development Officer, pointing out that these are intended to be “stimulus projects, which are meant to contribute to the government’s top priority goal for the country’s quick economic recovery.” Upon implementation, these projects, he added, will create employment, improve mobility of essential goods and services, stimulate inter-regional development and reduce Metro Manila’s traffic congestion.

Ignacio identified the four notable projects, that will supplement the existing North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) network). Now in various stages of development, approval and construction, the projects  are the following:

The first is Section 1 of the future NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway. Costing about P10Billion, the project will feature a new 5.1-kilometer expressway between Navotas Interchange and  Anda Circle, Bonifacio Drive in Manila. The project will afford motorists direct access to the Manila Ports via an elevated expressway traversing Mel Lopez Boulevard through Tayuman, Moriones and then to Anda Circle, within the immediate vicinity of Manila’s South Harbor.

The NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway is intended to decongest Metro Manila’s narrow city streets by diverting cargo trucks to the elevated expressway. In turn, this new truck route will be available 24/7,  without the truck ban, providing savings in time and vehicle operating costs for the truckers.

The second project is the P12 billion Section 3 of the future NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway, which will link the CAVITEX toll plaza in Paranaque City to Gil J. Puyat Avenue in Pasay City via an elevated expressway.  This new expressway will be 4.8-kilometers long and will provide a hassle free traffic alternative utilizing the airspace above Diosdado Macapagal Avenue.

The third project is the P2 billion C5 North Link Section 1 of NLEX. This 2-kilometer stretch will extend the NLEX Harbor Link eastward towards Quezon City, and  connect eventually to the future C5 Expressway.

The 2-kilometer Section 3B of C5 South Link Segments 2 & 3, is the fourth project, completing the eastward corridor of CAVITEX towards C.P. Garcia Avenue in Taguig City to the future C5 Expressway traversing the cities of Paranaque, Pasay and Taguig.

When completed, the 7.7 kilometer toll road, will connect CAVITEX’s Paranaque toll plaza all the way to C5 in Taguig. It will reduce travel time between  the existing CAVITEX and Makati from one hour and a half hour to 30 minutes, avoiding daily congestion in EDSA, MIA Road and other adjacent city roads.

Based on project feasibility studies behind the four projects, Ignacio cited the benefits of  “connectivity, traffic decongestion, and support for government economic stimulus.”

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

These four stimulus projects will divert high-value long haul trips and cargo trucks from gridlocked city streets to these truck ban-free expressways, thereby dramatically decongesting traffic, he added.

And, for the present government, Ignacio declared: “These projects will definitely support government economic stimulus programs, including creating jobs during and after construction.”