C5-Quirino Tunnel in Novaliches

[ABOVE]Map of the project connecting C5 with NLEX in Valenzuela City (MNTC).

A blessed New Year to everyone. As a great start for this wonderful year 2010, I am pleased to present to you my adventures across the city and featuring the latest updates on infrastructure & development. First our first walk we will check the ongoing construction of the tunnel alongMindanao Avenue (nicknamed C5) and Quirino highway in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Background:

National Government has initiated this project known as NLEX-SLEX link last year, which aims to connect the North Luzon Expressway with the South Luzon expressway through Circumferential Road aka C5. This will divert motorists who frequently use EDSA as route toward the two expressways in going in and out of the Metropolis. This will help a lot in saving time & gas on transport once connected. One of the vital parts of the project is the tunnel intersecting Quirino highway & Mindanao avenue.

[ABOVE] View of Mindanao Avenue (C5) looking towards Valenzuela.

Based on the pictures, you can see the walls of the tunnel already up but the tunnel construction

underneath the intersection has not yet begun. The intended deadline of this project was supposedly December 2009

but until now (January 2010) only the western side of the tunnel has been completed. The eastern part (facing

Hortaleza building) is yet to begin. Despite the delay, let's keep our fingers crossed for this project to be done

by June of this year in time for the influx of students on opening season of school year. Remember,

that Novaliches is one of the most populous districts in Metro Manila as well as one of the highest number

of schools per district. Once finished, this will divert most of the vehicles using EDSA-NLEX route directly to C5.

Before I sign off, let me leave you with this maxim written in Tagalog. This signifies

that you don't have to be an engineering buff just to show concern for our infrastructure

projects across the country since we all use it, and therefore affected by it.

Imprastruktura at eknomiya, Magkasama.

Comments are indeed welcome!