Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is aiming to begin the construction of an elevated expressway extension of the Harbor Link this year.
In a Philippine Star report, MPTC president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco had said they were hoping to start working on the project as early as this year.
The P16-billion project aims to improve access to Port Area in Manila by continuing the Harbor Link from C3 corner Navotas interchange all the way to Anda Circle.
“That one doesn’t require a lot of right of way, so we’re hoping once the contractual arrangement is fixed, then we can begin work. It all depends actually on the contract, then we have to prepare the design. So it really has to be latter part of the year,” Franco said.
The project is still under evaluation by the Toll Regulatory Board, according to MPTC chief communications officer Romulo Quimbo Jr.
However, Quimbo said the project is not an unsolicited proposal since it is within the scope of MPTC’s existing concession. The project was submitted to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar in December.
“We have signals that the public works department is supporting (it) because it’s obviously helpful for that part of the road network,” Quimbo said.
Quimbo earlier said that the proposed extension stretches 5.1 kilometers and would cost between P15 to P16 billion.
The C3-R10 Section of NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, the elevated expressway that will provide direct access between R10 in Navotas City and NLEX, is set for partial opening this month, while the entire C3-R10 Section will open by March.
The 2.6-kilometer C3-R10 Section from Caloocan Interchange, C3 Road in Caloocan City to Radial Road 10 in Navotas City will connect to the 5.65-kilometer NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10.
The project is seen to significantly benefit the transport logistics industry as cargo trucks will have 24/7 access from the port to NLEX, sparing them from the truck ban and having to navigate congested local roads. It is also envisioned to boost trade performance and lead to the on-time delivery of goods to different inland destinations in Central and North Luzon. – Richmond Mercurio