MALOLOS CITY—The Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC)
is set to commence construction of the P10-billion North Luzon Expressway
(NLEx) Harbor Link project by the end of the month.
This came as Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson led
the ground breaking ceremonies for the multi-billion peso road project at the
Smart connect Interchange in Valenzuela City yesterday morning.
The said project is described by officials as “one of the
most important infrastructure projects of the year” and is seen to ease traffic
towards the Port Area and Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela (Camanava)
area upon completion next year.
The eight-kilometer road project forms part of the NLEx
phase 2 expansion program being implemented by the MNTC, a subsidiary of the
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) of the Manuel V. Pangilinan led Metro
Pacific Group.
Ramoncito Fernandez, MPTC president and chief executive
officer, said that the project is a manifestation of their company’s strong and
firm support for the public-private-partnership (PPP) program championed by the
Aquino administration.
He said: “Harbor Link is a very good alternative to the
C-3 Road and A. Bonifacio Avenue” which is being used by truckers and haulers
that go to and from the Port Area.
For his part, Rodrigo Franco, president and CEO of the
MNTC explained that the NLEx Harbor Link which will start from Smart connect
Interchange in Valenzuela City comes in two segments that will connect the
MacArthur Highway and C-3 Road in Valenzuela City and the NLEx Mindanao Avenue
link.
Dubbed as Segment 9, the 2.4 kilometer portion linking
the NLEx main to MacArthur highway in Valenzuela City is expected to be
completed in 12 to 15 months, according to Franco.
The construction cost of Segment 9 is estimated at P1.5
billion to P1.7 billion.
Franco said that even before the completion of the
2.4-kilometer Segment 9, they will start constructing the 5.65-kilometer Segment 10 which will
start where Segment 9 will end.
He said that that Segment 10 which will stretch all the
way to C-3 Road in Port Area will be completed within 24 months at the coast of
P6.33 billion.