QBEx implementation set this year

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is ready to implement the 160-kilometer Quezon-Bicol expressway (QBEx) project this year.

Mark Villar, DPWH secretary, said the QBEx feasibility study is now complete and the project is ready to be implemented.

As the project is quite large, the DPWH is looking at bidding the project through a public-private partnership (PPP) program while some portion will be government funded.

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“We are looking at involvement as PPP or doing some portion from the General Appropriations Act. We are flexible. At this point it is ready for execution,” Villar said. DPWH did not disclose the project cost.

QBEx will run from Pagbilao, Quezon up to the existing Maharlika Highway in San Fernando, Camarines Sur. It will significantly reduce travel time between Manila and the Bicol Region.

The project is part of DPWH’s Luzon spine expressway network program which aims to reduce travel time between Ilocos and Bicol from 20 hours to just 9 hours, building a total of 903 kms. expressway.

This involves 24 expressways in Luzon, of which nine are operational, nine expressways are under construction, and six more projects for implementation.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, DPWH is optimistic the construction of major infrastructure projects will be completed before the end of the Duterte administration.

Traffic in Edsa is also expected to be resolved soon with the completion of the North Luzon expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link project recently, and the completion of Skyway Stage 3 and the NLEx connector road project.

As of end-May, DPWH has completed the construction and rehabilitation of 4,959 bridges. It also completed 8,941 flood mitigation structures and drainage system projects.

In addition, DPWH said it has completed the construction of 1,950 kms. tourism roads as part of the program to provide safe and efficient access to tourism sites.

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