MNTC sets P1.5-B SCTEX upgrade

A unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is spending over P1.5 billion to improve the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and provide seamless connection to the North-Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), which was awarded the contract to manage, operate and maintain the 94-kilometer SCTEX traversing the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac by the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority last year, will be investing on the improvement works.

“While the rehabilitation and modernization of SCTEX will take three years to complete, motorists will already experience the improvements by Holy Week this year,” Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco said in a statement yesterday.

MPTC is the holding company of MNTC.

Franco said the enhancement works for the SCTEX would “include pavement works, construction of new facilities, and the improvement of the toll collection and communications systems.”

The rehabilitation of the SCTEX would also involve integrating it to the NLEX, another tollway being managed by MNTC.

Once the integration of the two tollways is completed, NLEX’s modern toll collection system, utilizing short-range communication tags, and contactless magnetic cards, will become available to SCTEX.

With the anticipated surge in traffic volume during the Holy Week, MNTC is aiming to ensure the safety, comfort and convenience of motorists on SCTEX.

Among the ongoing enhancements on the SCTEX is the installation of closedcircuit television cameras and emergency call boxes along the expressway to ensure the security of motorists.

MNTC is also putting lights and reflectorized strips to guide motorists at night.

To provide motorists with a more comfortable travel experience, two additional restrooms will be constructed at the SCTEX’s Dolores Exit and Luisita Interchange.

Signs with useful and updated traffic information to guide motorists will likewise be put up along the expressway.

By Holy Week, some physical barriers currently standing between the two tollways will be removed and motorists no longer need to stop at Dau and Mabalacat as these will be converted into pass-through lanes.

Aside from the improvement of facilities, MNTC has also given instructions to SCTEX toll tellers and patrolmen assigned in the area to level up customer service and traffic management.

“With all the planned improvements for SCTEX, motorists will soon experience a seamless NLEX-SCTEX connection,” Franco said.

Apart from toll operations, MPIC is engaged in the following businesses: water utilities, power distribution, hospital operations and rail.