Contract withdrawn for Philippines highway contract causing delay

The project to construct a connecting road between the South Luzon and North Luzon expressways in the Philippines now looks set to be delayed. The US$409 million contract previously awarded to a joint venture comprising 3194 Philippine National Construction Corp (PNCC) and 5815 Metro Pacific Investments Corp (MPIC), has been withdrawn for unspecified reasons. The country’s 2569 Department of Public Works and Highways says that the contract has been returned to the 6316 National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for new approval. The works will be offered again to bidders through the Swiss Challenge system although the joint venture partners will be able to bid once more.