16 July, 2012, Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has met with the two groups planning to build separate road projects that link expressways south and north of Metro Manila to explore options for smooth implementation, especially on a portion common to both.
The Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and San Miguel Corp-backed Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. (CMMTC) are proposing to construct two roads that connect the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
Both proposals share a 3-kilometer common area stretching from Buendia in Makati City all the way to Plaza Dilao in Manila.
The TRB said both groups have agreed to comply with government’s requirement regarding relevant information needed in exploring options for the the common area.
See the two road project proposals in the map below.
The two road projects are expected to reduce travel time between NLEx and SLEx to just 20 minutes. The distance between the two currently takes an hour or more to travel as the congested metropolis is in between.
CMMTC proposal, which is an extension of its current Skyway concession agreement, involves a 6-lane, 14.2-km road with 8 exits.
On the other hand, MPIC’s proposal, which will still be subject to a Swiss challenge in the 3rd quarter 2012, involves a 13.2-km overhead road via an existing rail tracks, and will have 4 lanes and 3 exits. MPIC holds the concession for NLEx.
Ayala may spend more on link road
The TRB also met with representatives of the Ayala group, which bagged theP1.96-billion Daang Hari-SLEx link road project in December 2011.
The regulator said the Ayala group has agreed to submit its proposed design revisions and cost calculations to remove some constraints in the portions near SLEx, which will likely expand in the future.
The Ayala group, said the TRB, will also have to review and reconsider the original DPWH design in connecting Daang Hari to SLEx.
Present in these meetings were Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, Finance Undersecretary Sonny Sevilla, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center executive director Cozette Canilao and TRB executive director Edmund Reyes. – Rappler.com
