Congestion on major roads in metropolitan Manila had increased, caused by insufficient traffic capacity, which was hampering economic growth within the main development centres. Construction of expressways along key corridors was proposed to reduce congestion, absorb traffic growth, reduce accidents and integrate strategic economic centres. Transport costs and travel times between metropolitan Manila and the provinces to the north, east and south were also reduced. SMEC undertook the detailed engineering design contract for the 7.78km Segment Ten of the North Luzon Expressway for the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC), in Manila within a compressed schedule of six months, from the concept design to the delivery of construction plans. SMEC's services included: roadway and structural design for the elevated expressway, drainage, hydrology, traffic, ITS and pavements; geological and geotechnical engineering; topographic and hydrographic surveys; right-of-way and parcellary surveys; and environmental engineering services.