NLEX Corp. submitted a proposal Monday to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to extend the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link Segment 10 to Anda Circle, which is between Intramuros and Manila South Harbor.
“Yes. We just submitted it. It’s going to continue the Harbor Link from C3 corner Navotas Interchange all the way to Anda Circle. That’s the proposal. Technically (this is) part (of the Harbor Link) because it’s going to be elevated. It will technically continue the Harbor Link all the way to the Port of Manila,” Romulo S. Quimbo, Jr., NLEX Corp. senior vice-president for communication, told reporters Monday in Caloocan City.
He said the estimated cost of the proposed 5.1-kilometer extension of the NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 to Anda Circle, which will be officially called the Harbor Link Port Access Mobility Facility, is “P15 to P16 billion.”
“So the idea is to develop ramps to the port itself,” he added.
An Anda Circle toll road would effectively capture northbound cargo vehicles emerging from the port and eliminate the need for such vehicles to use the regular road network.
In a separate interview, DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said of the proposal: “Babasahin ko muna (I need to read it).”
NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10, which officially opened in March, is a P15.55-billion project with private concessionaire NLEX Corp.
Aside from the main line connecting Karuhatan, Valenzuela City to C3, Caloocan City, the expressway will also have a 2.6-kilometer spur road from C3 to Radial Road 10 (R10), Navotas City, which will be “partially opened on Jan. 15” next year, according to Mr. Quimbo.
Asked how much the toll fees will be for the R10, Mr. Quimbo said: “Wala pa kasi. (Nothing yet) That will take effect when it’s completed. We have to file a petition that it’s nearing completion. It’s 65% complete as of today.”
Reporters were in Malabon City Monday to witness the inspection by the DPWH and NLEX Corp. of the ongoing construction of the R10 Section and the eight-kilometer Connector elevated expressways in CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela).
“Strategically interconnected at the new Caloocan Interchange along C3/5th Avenue, the twin expressways are seen as urgent infrastructure solutions expected to provide relief to the thousands of commuters and motorists challenged by Metro Manila’s daily traffic,” NLEX Corp. said in a statement.
Mr. Villar and officials of the NLEX Corp. witnessed the foundation works of the first five-kilometer section of the NLEx Connector expressway at the new Caloocan Interchange. NLEX Corp. said this section will extend to the future Sampaloc Interchange near España Boulevard, Manila.
Once the NLEx Connector is completed, NLEx Corp. said the travel time from NLEx to SLEx will be reduced from two hours to approximately 20 minutes.
“The elevated, four-lane divided carriageway NLEx Connector will feature two interchanges and four toll plazas running above the Philippine National Railway lines,” it added. — Arjay L. Balinbin
