THE FEASIBILITY study (FS) for the Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QBEx), to be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is planned for completion this year, with project implementation set to start by 2022. “By fourth quarter this year, we plan to begin the Tender Process of QBEx, then by fourth quarter of 2019 the Detailed Engineering Design, followed by Right-of-way Acquisition starting fourth quarter of 2020 so we will be able to proceed with the construction by first quarter of 2022,” DPWH Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Director Alex G. Bote said in a statement. The QBEx, which will be implemented under the PPP scheme, will span about 180 kilometers from Pagbilao, Quezon to the existing Maharlika Highway in San Fernando, Camarines Sur. The indicative project cost will be determined upon completion of the FS. “For the longest time, Daang Maharlika Highway also known as Pan-Philippine Highway is the only route of motorists heading and coming from Bicol Region to Manila. With QBEx, traveling will not only be faster but also safer since motorists can avoid traversing through mountainside and other fragmentary roads of Maharlika Highway,” Mr. Bote said.

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