In the next couple of years, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) intends to complete P28 billion worth of road infrastructure “stimulus projects" primarily meant to contribute to the government’s quick economic recovery impetus.
MPTC named four stimulus projects in the alignments of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) now in various stages of development and construction, according to Raul L. Ignacio, MPTC Chief Tollway Development Officer.
They are meant to create employment, improve mobility of essential goods and services, stimulate inter-regional development and reduce traffic congestion, he pointed out.
The P10 billion NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway Section 1 is first on the list.
The 5.1-kilometer stretch to Anda Circle from the C3-R10 Navotas Interchange of the NLEX Harbor Link 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 Port Link will decongest local roads by diverting cargo trucks to the elevated expressway.
In turn, this new truck route will be available 24/7, without truck ban, providing savings in time and vehicle operating costs for the truckers.
Second is the P12 billion Section 3 of NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway, which will connect CAVITEX to Gil J. Puyat Avenue via another elevated expressway.
Coming from the south, this CAVITEX extension will be a 4.8-kilometer elevated expressway 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 towards Quezon City, and connect eventually to the C5 Expressway.
The 2-kilometer Section 3B of C5 South Link Segments 2 & 3, is the fourth project, extending CAVITEX farther from the south to the C5 Expressway in the east through the cities of Paranaque, Pasay and Taguig.
C5 South Link Segments 2 and 3 , a 7.7 kilometer road, will complete the expressway that will link CAVITEX’s Paranaque toll plaza to C5 in Taguig. It will reduce travel time from CAVITEX to Makati from one hour and a half hour to 30 minutes, since EDSA, MIA Road and other adjacent major roads shall have been decongested.
“These projects connect the major sea ports and airports to north and south destinations without the constraints of a truck ban,” Ignacio noted.
They will enable hauler trucks to achieve 24/7 unimpeded delivery of goods inasmuch as all four truck ban-free expressways divert high-value long haul trips and cargo trucks from local roads.