MNTC to spend up to P4B for NLEx expansion

MANILA, Philippines – A unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) will spend as much as P4 billion for the expansion of the 90-kilometer North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) over the next 2 to 3 years.

Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) president Rodrigo Franco said the company, which holds the concession for NLEx, will expand portions of the expressway where there’s always traffic buildup. 

Franco said MNTC will shell out between P2.5 billion and P4 billion to expand the sections from Sta Rita to San Fernando, and from Dau and Sta. Ines, all in Pampanga.

“The cost depends on the scheme that the regulator will consider. It is anywhere from P2.5 billion to P4 billion plus,” Rodrigo said.

Under the plan, the Sta. Rita to San Fernando segment, which currently has 2 lanes, will be expanded to 3 lanes for both directions.

The Dau to Sta. Ines section, which now only has a single lane for each direction, will be expanded to 2 lanes each side.

Franco said the additional lanes may be completed in one to 2 years’ time. “We could finish the project about one to two years, depending on the scheme.”

MNTC is finalizing a joint venture with state-run Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) for the P23 billion toll road linking NLEx to South Luzon Expressway this month.

The connector road project entails the construction of a 13.4-km elevated expressway that will have 4 lanes.

The connector road will allow faster access to Manila’s ports and decongest traffic in Metro Manila. – Rappler.com