MNTC launches P18-B Metro Express Link

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines - – The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) yesterday launched the P18-billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Metro Express Link that is expected to be completed by June 2016.

This came after Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) and the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) signed a joint venture agreement that gave MNTC the green light to implement the Metro Express Link.

The project is a combination of the NLEX Harbor Link composed of Segments 9 and 10.1, and the Connector Road.

Rodrigo Franco, president and chief executive officer of the MNTC, said Harbor Link’s Segment 9 is the 2.4-kilometer extension of Mindanao Avenue from the NLEX to MacArthur Highway in Valenzuela City; while Segment 10.1 stretches from where Segment 9 ends to C-3 road in Caloocan City.

Segment 10.1 will be elevated and will be partly constructed above the MacArthur Highway and the old Philippine National Railways (PNR) right-of-way.

The Connector Road is the elevated expressway that will be constructed above the PNR right-of-way from C-3 to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Franco said that from PUP, the Metro Express link will be connected to a common alignment with San Miguel Corp.’s similar project, until it is linked with the South Luzon Expressway.

When completed, Franco said travel time from the NLEX in Valenzuela City to Makati City will be less than 30 minutes.

“It will save us a lot of time and money in maintaining our vehicles. It will benefit our commuting public, motorists, and even cargo haulers,” he said.

This was echoed by Ramoncito Fernandez, president and CEO of the MPTDC.

Fernandez said the Metro Link Expressway will dramatically change the metropolis’ skyline while making travel time shorter and safer.

He also said that the MPTDC and PNCC joint venture agreement is the second in the two corporations’ long partnership.