The Lopez Group took on the challenge and ventured into road infrastructure to improve and upgrade the NLEX. Through First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation (FPIDC), the Group partnered with the Philippine government through the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC). PNCC's franchise allows it to enter into joint venture schemes, to choose its partners, without the need for public bidding.

The resulting joint venture created the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) which was mandated to finance, rehabilitate, operate and maintain the NLEX until 2030. MNTC also invited Egis Projects S.A. of France, Leighton Asia Limited of Australia, and PNCC to partner with it through equity funding and construction activity.