DPWH readies Swiss challenge for NLEX, SLEX connector road

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is planning to issue this week a notice for the Swiss challenge for the elevated road project that will link the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

“Target date (is) March 30,” Ariel Angeles, director of the public-private partnership  service in DPWH said in a text message, when asked for the date the notice for the project would be published. 

The connector road is an unsolicited proposal of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. submitted to the previous administration.

The eight kilometer road project would start from the end of Segment 10 in C3 Road Caloocan City to PUP Sta. Mesa and connect to the common alignment of Skyway Stage 3.

In December last year, the National Economic and Development Authority Board approved the revised terms negotiated by the DPWH and MPIC as well as the Swiss challenge for the project.

Through the Swiss challenge, other interested parties may submit offers for the connector road project. 

As the original proponent, MPIC would be able to match the best offer for the project. 

The DPWH’s estimated project timeline showed the submission of comparative or competitive proposals would be in the second quarter of this year, while the right to match the original proponent would be in the third quarter. 

Issuance of the notice of award for the project would be in the third quarter, followed by the signing of the toll concession agreement in the fourth quarter.

The project is expected to decongest traffic in Metro Manila by providing trucks with an alternative route and giving better access to Manila ports as well as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport. 

According to the DPWH, the project would reduce travel time from SLEx to NLEx to just 15 to 20 minutes from 1.5 to two hours. 

For those coming from Clark in Pampanga headed to Calamba in Laguna, travel time would be cut to one hour and 40 minutes from approximately three hours. 

About 35,000 motorists are expected to use the connector road per day.