MPIC gets TRB OK on C-5 link project

MANILA, Philippines - Infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) has secured the approval of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to start the construction of the C-5 (Circumferential Road 5) Link Expressway project.

In a statement, MPIC unit Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said the TRB approved the implementation of the first portion of the C-5 Link Expressway.

The notice to proceed covers the C-5 Road in Taguig City until Moonwalk and Merville villages in Sucat, Parañaque City.

The groundbreaking for the C-5 Link Expressway is targeted in January, while the construction is slated to begin by February.

MPTC said the right-of-way for the first portion of the C-5 Link Expressway has been substantially acquired and is expected to be completed after the transfer of the land by the Manila International Airport Authority to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The C-5 Expressway Link will eventually connect to the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) Coastal Expressway.

MPTC is targeting to complete the tollway in 2019.

The C-5 Expressway Link will provide a seamless connection to the Cavitex road network and to the Cavite-Laguna Expressway slated for completion in 2020.

“The new C-5 Link is envisioned to spur further economic development in Parañaque and in Cavite and Laguna provinces by providing a safe and convenient link from the central and northern parts of Metro Manila to the high-growth industrial and residential centers in Southern Tagalog,” MPTC said.

MPTC is the country’s largest toll road operator.

Aside from the Cavitex, MPTC also operates the North Luzon Expressway and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

MPTC also has investments in  toll roads in other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.