The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is evaluating the P100-billion unsolicited proposal of NLEX Corp. to connect the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to Manila Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) via tunnel.
Mark Villar, DPWH secretary, did not give a target date on the decision of whether or not to issue NLEX Corp. original proponent status but noted further study is needed given the extent of the project.
In its website, DPWH said it is conducting the evaluation of the unsolicited proposal in accordance with Section 10.7 of the build-operate-transfer law.
It said it is awaiting for the submission of documents from the proponent.
The NLEX-Cavite port expressway link project is a 15-kilometer expressway with six lanes (elevated and tunnel) from NLEX Segment 10 up to Cavitex which will provide an ideal truck route directly linked to Manila Port Area.
Luigi Bautista, NLEX Corp. president and general manager, told reporters the proposal was submitted early last year.
Bautista said the P100- billion cost is just an estimate with the final amount to be determined after the detailed engineering design.
“If it will be approved, the intention of NLEX Corp. is to be able to build it by phases. The extent of the project is really very big. You cannot construct it in one go because of the huge capital expense,” Bautista said.
The project is divided into three sections namely: C3 road to Anda Circle, connection from Cavitex to Buendia avenue and Buendia avenue to Anda Circle.
