The actual work on the ground, for the first four or five (kilometers) would be towards the end of November.

Upon full completion in 2021, the NLEX Connector will significantly cut travel time from NLEx to SLEx by at least 60 percent. ANALY LABOR

The NLEX Corporation on Tuesday formally awarded to D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI) the first phase of the elevated expressway project connecting the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to South Luzon Expressway.

The P8-billion contract to build the first five kilometers of the NLEx Connector project was handed to DMCI during a site inspection at Grace Park in Caloocan City.

“The actual work on the ground, for the first four or five (kilometers) would be towards the end of November,” NLEx Corp. president Luigi Bautista told reporters in a spot interview.

He said the 8-kilometer project will be an all-weather, all-vehicle class elevated expressway that will traverse the new Caloocan Interchange on 5th avenue/C3 road in Caloocan City, pass through España and eventually link up with the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The contract with DMCI covers the main civil works for the Caloocan- España section.

The NLEX Connector will continue the NLEX southward from NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 from the new Caloocan Interchange.

The project will use portions of the existing right-of-way of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) which has already been approved by the railway operator.

The first section of the NLEx Connector project is targeted to be completed within 20 months.

According to Bautista, the tender offer for the procurement process covering the second phase from España to PUP Sta. Mesa will start next month.

“Towards the end of March next year, we should already be able to appoint a contractor for Section 2 which is targeted to be completed in 18 months,” he said.

“Upon full completion in 2021, the NLEX Connector will significantly cut travel time from NLEx to SLEx by at least sixty percent. Instead of the usual two hours, travel time will now be reduced to about 20 minutes,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

“It will also provide accessibility for cargo trucks bound for Manila ports and the international airports such as NAIA and Clark,” he added.

The NLEX Corp. has completed preliminary works on the project after a ground-breaking ceremony held last February.

Preliminary works included the ground survey, finalization of design, and clearing of roads through tree cutting and relocation of informal settlers.