Work starts on $.4-B North Luzon Expressway project

MEXICO, Pampanga — Seven years after plans to upgrade the North Luzon Expressway were laid out, work on the $371-million, two-year project finally started yesterday.

"Work on the project would involve 6,000 workers who would be working 24 hours daily, seven days a week, including holidays," said Jose de Jesus, president and chief executive officer of the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) during the groundbreaking ceremonies in Barangay Panipuan here yesterday morning.

Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Renato Diaz said $117.5 million needed for the project would come from the MNTC, while $253.5 million would come from eight foreign lenders.

MNTC is a joint venture company comprised of the Lopez Group, through the First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corp. (FPIDC), the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC), Egis Projects S.A. of France, and Leighton Asia Ltd. (Leighton) of Australia.

Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid expressed elation over the project as he announced plans to transfer the provincial capitol complex.<