MNTC to submit NLEX expansion plan to TRB

MANILA, Philippines - Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), a unit of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), is set to submit to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) within the next two months the planned P4 billion expansion of the 84-kilometer North Luzon expressway (NLEX).

This developed as sister firm Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is set to launch tomorrow the radio frequency identification (RFID) sticker called Easydrive at the 14-kilometer Manila – Cavite Toll expressway (Cavitex).

MNTC president Rodrigo Franco said the tollroad operator is now finalizing an investments plan for the proposed expansion of certain portions of NLEX where there is traffic build up.

“We are now finishing the investment proposal will be submitted to the TRB. Hopefully within the next two months,” Franco said.

He pointed out that the engineering study of the proposed expansion is now being completed.

He added that the amount of investments is also being finalized. Earlier, Franco said the project would cost between P2.5 billion and P4 billion.

He disclosed that MNTC intends to expand the Bocaue to San Fernando segment to three lanes each direction from its current two lanes each.

Likewise, Franco said the company is also looking at expanding the Dau to Sta. Ines section to two lanes each direction from one lane each section.

The MPIC unit is awaiting the green light from Malacanang to pursue the P18 billion toll road that would connect NLEX to the South Luzon expressway (SLEX). The connector road project would complete the north-south industrial development beltway transport axis through the construction of a 13.4-kilometer four-lane elevated expressway.

Citra Central Expressway Corp. of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has already started the construction of its P26.5 billion 14.2-kilometer connector road after President Aquino approved the contract for the Stage 3 project of the Metro Manila Skyway .

TRB executive director Edmundo Reyes Jr. earlier directed operators of the NLEX, SLEX, and Cavitex to prepare their expansion programs due to high traffic volume by 2018.

“If we don’t do anything, by 2018 certain stretches of NLEX and SLEX will be like EDSA. Cars keep adding every year and we will need additional lanes, also space at the exits, also toll plazas and tellers, structures, road widening,” Reyes said last November.