The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issued a notice of award (NOA) to the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) and its subsidiary Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) on September 16, 2016 for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx)–South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) Connector Road Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project.

This PhP 23.2 billion (USD 515.56 million) PPP project is an unsolicited proposal of the Metro Pacific Group. The project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on February 16, 2015. No counter proposal was submitted on July 25, 2016, the last day of the Swiss Challenge for the project. The NLEx-SLEx Connector Road is seen to decongest traffic in Metro Manila by providing an alternative to C-5 Road, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), and other major thoroughfares. It is expected to cut the travel time between NLEx and SLEx from more than one hour to about 20 minutes.

MPTDC will construct, operate and maintain the 8-kilometer 4-lane elevated expressway over the Philippine National Railway (PNR) right of way. It starts from C3 Road in Caloocan through Manila crossing Espana towards Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Sta. Mesa connecting Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (MMSS3).

The winning proponent has 20 calendar days from receipt of NOA to comply with the post-award requirements.