Tarlac, Rio Chico bridge portions of CLLEX completed despite pandemic —JICA

Two major sections of the P14.9-billion Japan-funded Central Luzon Express Link Expressway (CLLEX) Phase 1 have been completed despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said Wednesday.

In a statement, JICA said the Tarlac and Rio Chico bridge sections of the 30-kilometer CLLEX Phase have been recently completed.

The CLLEX Phase I is among the key infrastructure projects that the JICA is supporting under the administration’s Build, Build, Build program in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The project being implemented by the DPWH with a total budget cost of P14.93 billion from Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) Fund.

“The CLLEX project provides an opportunity to help farmers and industries bounce back from the disruptions brought by COVID-19. It will help ease movement of goods and traffic in congested portions in the north,” said JICA Philippines Senior Representative Kiyo Kawabuchi.

“Further, we aim to contribute to expanding the Philippine expressway network, improve the Filipino commuting experience, and promote industry and economic development in the regions to attract investments and create jobs following the pandemic,” she said.

Citing data from the DPWH, JICA said the CLLEX will help decongest the Pan-Philippine Highway by 48% and reduce travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to 20 minutes when completed.

Travel time from Metro Manila to Cabanatuan City will also be reduced from three hours and six minutes via the Pan-Philippine Highway or two hours and fourteen minutes via Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) – Tarlac Sta. Rosa Road to one hour and 53 minutes.

Aside from CLLEX, JICA said it is also supporting other key infrastructure under the Build, Build, Build program, such as the Road Upgrading and Preservation Project, Metro Manila Interchange Construction Project Phase VI, Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project, Davao City Bypass Construction Project, and Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News