P-Noy eyes completion of NLEX-SLEX connector road before 2016

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino expects that the government-approved project connecting the North and South Luzon Expressways, aside from major airports and light rail systems on the pipeline, will be finished before he steps down in June 2016.

Among the “concrete manifestations” of the legacy that he wants to leave behind before the end of his six-year term are the major renovation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport I – dubbed  one of the world’s worst airport – among many others.

 â€œI think, it (NAIA-I) will be finished – the refurbishing by that time (2016),” he told officers and members of the Bulong Pulungan weekly forum during their annual Christmas party which was held at Sofitel Plaza in Pasay City.

“Hopefully, NLEX and SLEX, the connector will also be up and running by that time (2016),” Aquino said, as he likewise mentioned TPLEX – or the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway – that aims to shorten travel time to northern Luzon and Baguio City.

Major airports, among them tourism hubs Panglao (island in quake-ravaged Bohol province) and Mactan (international airport in Cebu province), are also expected to be “substantially finished.”

The construction of (more) light rail systems are also underway. “These are important by and of themselves,” he said of the infrastructure projects that the National Economic Development Authority has approved.

Aquino said he still has 950 days left before he relinquishes his post.

 â€œI think, more importantly is I really want an expression – to see the expression on the faces of our people the ‘can do’ attitude, that nothing is beyond our grasp and our reach, and that is what I am hoping to see, hopefully, not just the day before I leave, but more importantly after I leave, that it continues and become stronger,” he said.

Last June, Aquino gave the go-signal for the Public-Private Partnership projects that included the P25.56-billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Connector Road proposed by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).

The NLEX-SLEX Connector road involves the construction and operation and maintenance of a 13.4-km four-lane elevated expressway over the Philippine National Railway right of way that starts in Caloocan City and ends in Buendia, Makati City. 

The project will connect NLEX to SLEX and will be an alternative to C-5 road and EDSA.