The Circumferential Road 5–Ortigas Avenue Interchange, also known as the C-5–Ortigas Interchange, is a pair of intersecting flyovers in Pasig, Metro Manila, the Philippines that serves as the junction between Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) and Ortigas Avenue. Originally a regular four-way intersection, the current interchange was inaugurated in 2003, and completed in 2004.
History and technical specifications
The C-5–Ortigas Interchange consists of two flyovers: a three-level, four-lane, long flyover along Circumferential Road 5, particularly Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, and a two-level, two-lane, left-turn flyover along Ortigas Avenue which would allow for the grade separation of traffic coming from eastern Metro Manila towards C-5 southbound. Another two-lane, flyover along Ortigas Avenue was also supposed to be constructed as part of the project, but was ultimately excluded from the project by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Construction of the interchange began in January 2001 led by the Sumitomo Corporation, with the work being contracted out to F.F. Cruz and Company, one of the Philippines' largest construction companies. The interchange was finally completed in March 2004, although it was inaugurated on December 23, 2003, by Bayani Fernando, then serving as Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
Cost overruns
Construction of the C-5–Ortigas Interchange was marred by cost overruns and accusations of overpricing by the contractor, Sumitomo. Columnist Federico Pascual, Jr. claimed in the Philippine Star that bidding for the interchange project was rigged in favor of Sumitomo, despite submitting a bid which was 28% above the mandated project price of . Ultimately, the interchange project that the C-5–Ortigas Interchange was a part of was ₱1 billion over budget.