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The National Economic and Development Authority Board approved the P67.4-billion Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project
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The project is set for completion by 2031
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The second phase of Department of Public Works and Highways’ High Standard Highway Network Development master plan was also confirmed
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In addition, the NEDA Board received updates on public-private partnership projects, including Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Project Extension, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Laguindingan International Airport, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has approved the P67.4-billion Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The 23-kilometer, four-lane alternative road will bypass Dalton Pass in Central Luzon, particularly during road closures due to calamities. It is set for completion by 2031 and will enhance regional transport, facilitating the movement of people and essential goods, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan in a statement.
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Chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the NEDA Board on its recent 12th meeting also confirmed the second phase of the master plan on the High Standard Highway Network Development (HSHND), also a project of the DPWH.
The project aims to provide a higher quality HSH network for faster and safer road transport. The master plan outlines 53 Class-1 projects to be completed in the short, medium, and long term.
DPWH earlier said the second phase of the HSHND expands and updates the 2010 HSH masterplan conducted within the 200-km radius of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.
Balisacan said these projects will support connectivity for economic growth and development, efficiency in reducing traffic congestion, environmental sustainability and social acceptability.
In the meeting, the NEDA Board also received updates on approved public-private partnership (PPP) projects. The Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Extension Project is undergoing a Swiss challenge, with the contract potentially awarded in March 2024.
Meanwhile, bids for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport PPP Project are due by December 27, and negotiations for the Laguindingan International Airport project occurred between September and November, with the contract expected to be awarded between May 2024 and February 2025.
Negotiations for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport project commenced in November, with the contract award anticipated between August 2024 and May 2025.
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