A P16-billion expressway is expected to address traffic volume to and from Port Area.
NLEX Corp. yesterday submitted a proposal to construct an elevated expressway that will connect the Harbor Link project from C3 in Caloocan all the way to Anda Circle, Port Area Manila.
The proposal called Harbor Link port access mobility facility was submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) for approval.
“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,” said Romulo Quimbo, NLEX Corp chief communication officer.
The project is a 5.1-kilometer (km.) elevated expressway which is part of the NLEX concession.
“There’s a provision in the concession that authorizes us to submit a proposal,” Quimbo told reporters in a sideline interview at the NLEX Connector’s first bored piling and inspection of Harbor Link Segment 10.
“You have to bring the port closer to the NLEX. In which case, commercial vehicles will have the option… instead of using C3, they will just continue on the ramp all the way to the pier.” Quimbo said.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said NLEX’s proposal needs to undergo evaluation and approval.
NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is composed of the 5.65-km elevated expressway traversing the NLEX from MacArthur Highway, Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, passing through Malabon City and C3 road, Caloocan City, and the 2.6-km section between C3 road, Caloocan City and R10, Navotas City.
The R10 portion is 65 percent complete and is expected to start partial operation by mid of January and full completion by March.
Officials of the DPWH and NLEX Corp. inspected the progress of the ongoing construction of the 2.6-km NLEX Harbor Link (R10 section) and the 8-km NLEX Connector elevated expressways in CAMANAVA.
Strategically interconnected at the new Caloocan Interchange on 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.
Villar also witnessed the full blast foundation works of the first 5 km. section of the NLEX Connector expressway at the new Caloocan Interchange. This section will extend to the future Sampaloc Interchange near España boulevard, Manila.
A total of 223 piers will be built to support the all-weather, all-vehicle NLEX Connector which will eventually interconnect with the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The elevated, four-lane divided carriageway NLEX Connector will feature two interchanges and four toll plazas running above the Philippine National Railway lines.
The PNR right-of-way is being shared by the NLEX Connector and the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR), which is also under construction.
DPWH and NLEX officials also conducted a progress inspection of the Harbor Link (R10) section.
An important feature of the project is a new off-ramp that will bring motorists directly from the NLEX to Dagat-Dagatan in Malabon City.
The Harbor Link is intended to facilitate direct access between the port area and North and Central Luzon via the NLEX. Motorists, especially those in the commercial trucking sector, will enjoy a hassle-free elevated expressway alternative to the choke points of EDSA Balintawak, A. Bonifacio and C3/5th avenue. It is also envisioned for truckers who will be spared from the truck ban and subsequently experience quicker turn around.
The NLEX Connector and Harbor link projects are two high impact public-private partnership projects that are seen to boost the productive capacity of the economy, create jobs, increase incomes, and help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
