Citra builds skyway in Manila

Citra builds skyway in Manila

In metropolitan Manila, an elevated toll road project known as the Metro Manila Skyway, is being undertaken using mostly Indonesian equity and technology.

Indonesia's Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada, Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada, Bhaskara Duniajaya and Matra Sarana Aristama will initially invest US$55 million in the Skyway company, Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corporation (CMMTC). CMMTC is a joint venture company with the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC), the biggest franchise holder and operator of toll roads in the Philippines.

CMMTC aims to ultimately link the North and South Luzon Expressways in two ways. One is through the 35-kilometer Metro Manila Skyway, which will be built above major roads in the heart of Manila. Another is through a 48-kilometer circumferential road known as the Metro Manila Tollway, which will be built along the eastern periphery of Manila.

The $500 million Stage 1 of the three-stage Skyway project had its groundbreaking ceremonies on April 7, 1996. Philippines President Fidel V. Ramos attended and personally directed the operation of the crane which rotated the first completed pierhead. He was invited by CMMTC Honorary Chairperson, Madame Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana. The "sosrobahu" technology, which was invented by PT Hutama Karya president, Tjokorda Raka Sukawati, was used for the first pierhead's construction to minimize on traffic disturbance during construction.