NLEX Corp. said it expects to complete the first section of an elevated expressway from Caloocan to España Boulevard in Manila by 2021.
“As you know we have already awarded the contract to DMCI. The notice to proceed was awarded last month, and we are already mobilizing,” NLEX president Luigi Bautista told reporters.
NLEX awarded to D.M. Consunji Inc. in November last year the P8-billion contract to build the first section of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road. The section will span from Caloocan Interchange to España Boulevard.
“The full-blast construction will start next month, and they will bring heavy and big equipment on the side. Necessary equipment will be used for board piling. The intention is to complete the project next year,” Luigi said.
Bautista said the company would also bid out the contract for the second section of the project from España to PUP Sta. Mesa where it would meet the Skyway Stage 3 which is a part of the South Luzon Expressway.
“I cannot name the bidders for the moment, but there were 6 or 7 [contractors]. They are being evaluated, if they are qualified to bid,” Bautista said.
The P23.3-billion NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is an eight-kilometer elevated four-lane expressway extending NLEX southward from the end of Segment 10 on C3 Road Caloocan City to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila and connecting to Skyway Stage 3 by mostly traversing the PNR rail track.
The project includes two interchanges at C3 Road/5th Avenue in Caloocan and España in Manila.
A crucial infrastructure needed to resolve traffic congestion in Metro Manila, the NLEX Connector is also expected to stimulate economic development in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas and their surrounding areas.
The project will reduce travel time from SLEX to NLEX from two hours to just 20 minutes. Some 35,000 motorists are expected to use the project.
It will also reduce the travel time from Clark in Pampaga to Calamba, Laguna from about three hours to one hour and 40 minutes.
