124 SMC plans to extend TPLEX by 60 kms to Ilocos province

Project to cost billion

San Miguel Corp. (SMC)’s 124billion Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) extension, which will add another 60 kilometers (km) to the tollway to reach the Ilocos province, will be granted Original Proponent Status next month.

This was according to Engr. Alex G. Bote, Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Director, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Service, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Specifically, the TPLEX extension is a three-segment project for a fourlane toll road that will start from the last exit of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) in Rosario, La Union and end at San Juan, La Union.

The 17.9-billion first Segment, from Rosario to Tubao, covers 18 kms.

The 110.6-billion second segment, from Tubao to Naguilian covers 23 kms and the 15.3-billion last segment, from Naguilian to San Juan, 18.4 kms.

SMC submitted its unsolicited proposal for the TPLEX extension in May, this year.

Once the DPWH grants the original proponent status (OPS) to SMC, the latter’s proposal will undergo a Swiss challenge, where SMC will have the right to match the best offer to be given by another group for the project.

The TPLEX extension aims to promote the development of Northern Luzon by linking Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

Daily, some 20,000 vehicles go through the existing TPLEX from La Paz, Tarlac to Urdaneta, Pangasinan.