CALAX subsection to Silang, Cavite expected to open in Q3

The subsection of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) linking the toll road to Silang, Cavite is targeted to be opened to motorists by the third quarter of 2021, its developer MPCALA Holdings Inc. said Thursday.

In a statement, MPCALA said it has already achieved 83% construction progress on the new Subsection 5 of CALAX.

Subsection 5 covers the 7.2-kilometer link from Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange to Silang East Interchange.

Ongoing works include bridge deck and pavement construction, drainage works, road furniture and sound barriers, and structures of Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange, the company said.

“As travel restrictions are slowly but surely being lifted, this new subsection of CALAX will help accelerate economic progress in Laguna and Cavite by providing interconnection between the two provinces of Region 4-A,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

“This segment is crucial since it is expected to serve almost 5,000 cars per day, and will ease traffic along Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road once opened,” Villar said.

The Public Works chief said right of way acquisition for the project has been a challenge, “so we are giving our full effort to deliver and eventually open with as little deviation to the original timeline as possible.”

The completed and operational segment of CALAX is the Mamplasan to Santa Rosa, which is currently servicing about 10,000 vehicles daily.

“We target to finish the whole 45-kilometer stretch of CALAX and serve 50,000 cars before 2022 ends,” Villar said.

Upon completion, the P24.2-billion, four-lane expressway will connect the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) in Kawit, Cavite to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at Greenfield (Mamplasan) Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

CALAX spans 45 kilometers and has eight interchanges beginning at Kawit, Governor’s Drive, Open Canal, Silang (Aguinaldo) Highway, Silang East, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Boulevard and Laguna Technopark.

"With the combined efforts of DPWH and MPCALA we are optimistic and excited to open the new Subsection 5, hence as soon as right of way is handed over to us, we double construction efforts to avoid any unnecessary delay, while ensuring safety in the workplace," Roberto Bontia, MPCALA president and general manager, said.

MPCALA Holdings is a subsidiary of Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC).

MPTC holds the concession rights for the CALAX, CAVITEX, C-5 Link Expressway, North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), NLEX Connector Road, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.