San Miguel breaks ground for Pangasinan Link Expressway

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and the provincial government of Pangasinan broke ground on Thursday for the construction of the 76.80-kilometer Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX).

The groundbreaking came five months after SMC and the Pangasinan LGU sealed a toll concession and joint venture agreement for the project in October last year. 

PLEX is proposed to start at the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) exit in Binalonan.

SMC earlier said it would shoulder the project’s construction costs with zero expenses for national or provincial governments.

“The PLEX project affirms SMC’s affinity with and deep commitment to Pangasinan. We believe in the bigger potential of the province and its people, and that is why we continue to invest here. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership and, with the help and support of the provincial government, creating more jobs, livelihoods, and business opportunities in the province,” said SMC president and CEO Ramon Ang.

The project is structured in two phases: Phase 1 will extend 42.76 kilometers from TPLEX to Lingayen, while Phase 2 will extend all the way to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Phase 1 of PLEX is further subdivided into three segments: a 6.90-km section from Binalonan to Manaoag, an 11.30-kilometer stretch from Manaoag to Calasiao, and a 22.17-kilometer passage from Calasiao to Lingayen, along with a 2.39-km spur road in Calasiao. 

Meanwhile, Phase 2 will be a “demand-driven” expansion all the way to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

PLEX is also expected to provide direct access to the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.

“The Provincial Government will also receive a substantial share of the project's earnings, which it can use to provide more social services to our kababayans,” said Ang.

“This collaboration between the Provincial Government of Pangasinan and the private sector is proof that when people work together toward a common goal, anything is possible,” he added. — VBL, GMA Integrated News