The P2.2-billion expressway that aims to connect Muntinlupa and Cavite is nearing completion, according to data from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center.
The Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, previously known as the Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway (Slex) Link Road, is set to open this month, and is now 96-percent complete as of May 25. It is, however, three months behind its March 2015 target.
The delay was “attributed to on-site challenges, which resulted in the redesign of certain portions of the access tunnels leading to the Slex.”
While the construction completion is targeted for June, commercial operations will only start once the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Toll Regulatory Board issue the substantial completion and the toll operation certificates.
The toll rate for the thoroughfare is at P17 for Class One vehicles (cars and jeepneys, including taxis, vans and pickups) and P34 for Class Two vehicles (buses and small trucks).
The four-lane road, expected to relieve traffic congestion along the Daang Hari Road and Commerce Avenue, is expected to generate traffic of at least 50,000 vehicles per day.
The Daang Hari-Slex project was the first PPP project auctioned off and awarded under the flagship infrastructure program of the Aquino administration. The project starts from the junction of Daang Reyna and Daang Hari in Las Piñas/Bacoor in Cavite to the Slex, through the Susana Heights Interchange in Muntinlupa, traversing the New Bilibid Prison Reservation.
Under the initial design, the proposed link road will use the Susana Heights Interchange as exit and entry from north and south of the Slex and will include the construction of a new bridge/widening of the existing bridge crossing the Slex, as well as the expansion of the Susana Heights toll plaza.
Ayala Corp. bagged the 30-year concession contract in 2011. The project is being implemented by the public works agency under a build-transfer-operate scheme.
The country’s oldest conglomerate has so far spent P9 billion for three key infrastructure deals: the P2.2-billion Daang Hari-Slex Connector Road or the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, the P1.72-billion Automated Fare Collection System and the P64.9-billion Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension.
The last two contracts mentioned are for implementation with Ayala Corp.’s partner, Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
1 comment
why too much focus on tollways?…..i think there should be more PPP projects on public hospital improvements, as well as public market upgrades…and enhancement of Ro-Ro and bus terminals, as well as regional airports….