MNTC allots P1.5B for SCTEx upgrade

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said its tollroad unit was spending over P1.5 billion for improvements at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) after it assumed operations of the expressway last November.

Metro Pacific-controlled Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), which operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) said the improvements would bring world-class features to the 94-kilometer SCTEx.

“While the rehabilitation and modernization of SCTEx will take three years to complete, motorists will already experience the improvements by Holy Week this year,” said Rodrigo Franco, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) president and chief executive officer. MPTC is the holding company of MNTC.

“Aside from integrating the two tollways seamlessly, we have lined up a lot of enhancement works for SCTEx,” Franco added. “These include pavement works, construction of new facilities, and the improvement of the toll collection and communications systems.”

MNTC, builder and concessionaire of the 93-kilometer NLEx, was awarded the contract to manage, operate and maintain SCTEx late last year by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. MNTC would be responsible for the toll collection, traffic safety and security, maintenance, public relations and marketing of SCTEx until 2043.