CCLEX joins fluvial parade

With the festive drumbeat as background, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway’s (CCLEX) joined for the second time the Sinulog fluvial procession last Saturday.

CCLEX paraded its boat with its own personnel and local government officials of the Municipality of Cordova on board it. Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho was also there carrying the banner showing their prayer to the Santo Niño.

“This is our 2nd year of joining the Sinulog fluvial procession. There is nothing better than officially starting the year with an act of devotion to Santo Niño as we get ready to start the construction of CCLEX this year,” said Allan G. Alfon, CCLEC president and general manager. 

On November 23, 2017, CCLEC issued the notice of award for the design and build contract for CCLEX to Cebu Link Joint Venture (CLJV), a consortium of Acciona Construction S.A., First Balfour Inc. and DM Consunji Inc.

During the ceremonial awarding of project contract to CLJV last Dec 14, 2017, Alfon said that all necessary permits to start the bridge construction were already secured. These permits include the Environmental Compliance Certificate from Department of Environment and Natural Resources, navigational clearance from the Cebu Ports Authority, height clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, among others.

“We are delighted to think that by 2021, when we do the fluvial procession, we will have the scenic view of CCLEX in the background. That would serve as a testament of the progress Cebu has reached and of our commitment to be a reliable development partner of Cebu,” added Alfon.    

Spanning 8.5 kilometers, CCLEX is a toll bridge facility that will connect Cebu City to the Municipality of Cordova and will serve as an alternate route in going to and from the Mactan Cebu International Airport, thus, easing traffic congestion. It is an initiative borne through the efforts of local government units of Cebu City and Cordova.

CCLEC, a subsidiary company of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), will design, build and operate the project. MPTC, the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and a member of the MVP Group of Companies, is the largest toll road concessionaire and operator in the Philippines, which expansion goals include establishing toll operations in the Visayas, other parts of the Philippines, and in neighboring countries notably Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

MPTC currently operates the 84-km. North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), 94-km. Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the 14-km. Cavite Expressway. MPTC additionally has two other toll concessions currently under construction, namely the 45-km. Cavite Laguna Expressway (CALAX), and the 8-km. NLEX-SLEX Connector Road. – (PR)