In three to five years, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) will complete its P155-billion ‘Urban Ring Road,’ a network linking expressways in all four directions of Metro Manila to make travel seamless for motorists.
So far, some parts of the road's three expressway sections “have been completed, a few are under construction, while the rest are in the planning stage,” according to MPTC President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco.
On the east of the ring are the C5 Expressway and C5 Southlink, and on the west is the NLEX-CAVITEX Port Expressway Link.
After MPTC acquired CAVITEX in 2010, “We realized we could build a ring road by linking our expressways in the northern and southern parts of Metro Manila, providing express access to and from all directions within the metropolis,” he explained.
Already, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reported that the country “is losing P3.5 billion per day due to urban traffic congestion.”
This loss should be drastically reduced. “We know we are on the right track,” Franco stressed.
Based on traffic project studies, the ring road could reduce vehicle operating costs (VOCs), generate more jobs for workers during and after construction, lessen pollution, boost land values in areas around the expressways and enhance the quality of urban life.
“The tollway projects are interconnected, and their favorable socio-economic impact is cumulative,” Franco added.
The three interlinked expressway projects comprise the NLEX Urban Ring Road.
The two eastside urban expressway projects at Metro Manila are the C5 Expressway, for 2026 completion, and the C5 South Link to be completed in 2023.
The C-5 Expressway connects the segment extensions of NLEX main – Segments 8.1 and 8.2, which ends at C. P. Garcia Avenue.
The C5 Expressway (Section 1) begins where C. P. Garcia Avenue leaves off, proceeding to the Marcos Ave. Interchange, to Libis and Caruncho ramps, advancing to Ortigas and Lanuza Avenues, ending up in
Section 2 of C5 Expressway moves toward Bonifacio Global City through the Levi Mariano and Bayani Road interchanges – finally linking with C5 Southlink all the way to CAVITEX main toll plaza.
At the westside of Metro Manila, is the NLEX-CAVITEX Port Expressway Link, a six-lane 15.1 km. expressway.
The Link has three sections: Section 1, from the end of Radial Road 10 (R-10) Spur Road Ramp of NLEX, to Anda Circle in Manila. Section 2 starts at
Thousands of vehicles which traverse existing local roads will be redirectred to the expressways, reducing overuse and creating savings for the government,” according to Franco.
The savings could finance other priority projects.
Furthermore, the tollway expansion will finally match the capacity expansions of the Manila North and
With this link, north-bound trucks would steer clear of the congested roads of Manila.
Faster travel time reduces gas consumption, minimizes vehicle wear and tear and translates to r higher margins for truck operators.
As easier travel boosts business activity, malls, commercial establishments, and offices will need more people to run their businesses.
"This means more jobs during construction and after construction when these tollways are fully operational,” says Franco.