DPWH seeks redesign of C-3 proposal

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) may ask AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) to redesign the proposed P25 billion C-3 elevated expressway should it determine that the project is in conflict with existing projects.

“There might be some conflicts in alignment,” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar told reporters, when asked about the proposed expressway.

He said the DPWH is currently reviewing the proposal of AC Infrastructure and SMIC to build, as well as operate and maintain the 8.6-kilometer C-3 elevated expressway, and looking at whether the proposed project would have an impact on existing projects.

The alignment for the proposed toll road or C-3 elevated expressway which would complete C-3 (Circumferential Road 3), will start from C-3 Sta.Mesa area, traverse a portion of the Pasig River up to Circuit Makati area, run parallel to South Avenue and then follow Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., all the way to the Mall of Asia complex.

The project’s proposed interchanges will be located in Sta.Mesa, the Circuit Makati, Ayala-Gil Puyat, Roxas Boulevard, and the SM Mall of Asia Complex.

Villar said the C-3 project of the DPWH might be affected by the proposal.

“We have our own C-3 project going to Makati…So, we’ll see. It’s early stage,” Villar said.

For the review, Villar said the consortium would need to submit a full blown feasibility study for the proposal. “It (proposal) will go through us and then, we will be the one to suggest what needs to be changed... It will go through a process,” he said.

The proposed C-3 elevated expressway is expected to help decongest EDSA and improve access to Manila Bay development areas, Makati central business district, as well as the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan and Manila.

Earlier, AC Infrastructure president and chief executive officer Jose Rene Almendras said the group is hoping to get the final contract award for the project in the second quarter of next year.