The Department of Public Works and Highways has acknowledged the receipt of an unsolicited proposal for a new tollway connecting the north and south expressways submitted by Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPTDC).

MPTDC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, proposed a new expressway that will link the North Luzon Expressway with the South Luzon Expressway.

The new Connector Project involves the construction of a 13.2-kilometer elevated road via the PNR tracks within the Manila Central Business District, from the end of NLEX at C3 to the beginning of Skyway 1 at Buendia.

The Connector will support more efficient movement of people and goods through congested urban areas; reduce travel time between NLEX and SLEX to 20 minutes; provide unrestricted travel flow from the ports to Southern, Central and Northern Luzon; and connect vital international airports and seaports.

“The Connector Road will serve as the centerpiece of an increasingly integrated expressway network for Luzon. The alignment proposed for this Connector Project is expected to minimize construction cost, right of way and acquisition costs, negative environmental impacts, and social and economic disturbances, while accelerating the pace of project execution” said MPTC and MPTDC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

He added that “with all our projects completed right on schedule, it is anticipated that the design and construction of the project will be completed in three and a half years.”

DPWH Secretary Victor Domingo announced that “The proposal has undergone initial examination, and has been determined to be complete and is in compliance with the form of BOT Law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations.

“DPWH is currently evaluating the proposal and will formally advise all approving authorities about the submission of the proposal,” Domingo said.

MPTDC said the proposal was developed in response to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s vision for a rapidly developing Luzon Urban Beltway.