BCDA reroutes Subic-Clark expressway project

The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) has proposed changes in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (SCTEP) to avoid problems with drainage, traffic management and security posed by the original route plan.

The BCDA made a detailed presentation to Clark Development Corp. (CDC) last Tuesday regarding the proposed realignment of the SCTEP, which CDC president Emmanuel Angeles had earlier complained about.

Under the original route plan approved by the National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Council (NEDA-ICC) in 2000, there would be an interchange along the Clark Friendship Highway that would serve as one of the main ingress and egress point of the proposed highway for motorists coming from Subic.

However, the BCDA said the SCTEP project management group and the Japanese consultants found that the proposed Clark Friendship Interchange would present problems with drainage, traffic manangement and security due to its proximity to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

The BCDA decided it was thus necessary to defer the proposed interchange and instead construct an alternate P50-million road that would connect the Clark north junction to the north perimeter road near the Sacobia area and the Centennial Expo site inside the former US military air base.

The BCDA explained that the realignment of the SCTEP would primarily help encourage development in the northern portion of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) and cater to the needs of the future facilities of the DMIA.

Angeles had complained that the proposed realignment would not provide easy and direct access to the DMIA which is supposed to be the heart of the development of the Subic port facilities and the Clark international airport.

The BCDA identified specific access points to and from Clark which includes the Clark north interchange, the spur road/North Luzon Expressway interchange which is Clark’s main link to the newly rehabilitated expressway.

The BCDA and CDC have agreed to form a joint technical working group to further study the proposed realignment.