Silang to help resolve highway ROW issue

THE local government unit (LGU) of Silang, Cavite is willing to help address the right-of-way (ROW) issues of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) of MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI) in order to speed up the completion of the project.

This as Silang Mayor Kevin Anarna urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and private landowners to come up with a compromise on the issue.

“We are very willing to help MPCALA and the national government to fast track the opening of the Calax Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange,” Anarna stated. “Right now, we are planning to set up a meeting with the owner of the land to discuss the right-of-way issues. Maybe, we can get a compromise agreement before the end of the year.”

To date, 64 percent of Calax Silang Interchange subsection has been completed.

MHI said the target date of its opening has been moved several times, with the latest being December of this year still uncertain.

One critical portion for the completion of the interchange is the undelivered ROW of about 450 meters of land.

The ROW issues prevent the progress of continuous works, including construction of drainage and bridge, excavation and roadway earthworks, and the installation of fences and coco nets.

“The delay in completion of the Calax subsection has hampered the development of inner roads of the municipality as well,” Arnana said. “Only by its completion can we start the construction of these roads so that we will be accessible to local tourists and investors who want to invest in Silang.”

The fifth of the eight segments of the 45-kilometer expressway spans at 3.9 kilometers with a two-by-two lane expressway from Silang East Interchange to Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite. Upon completion, this will serve more motorists, including the 298,000 local residents, and will reduce traffic all throughout the city.

According to the LGU, the current average daily traffic is 33,000 from Mamplasan to the Silang Ease interchange. This is expected to increase to 40,000 when the Silang Interchange finally opens, which will then ease traffic flow along the 41-kilometer Aguinaldo Highway, Governor’s Drive and the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road.

With construction works now underway, the mayor admitted that traffic in their area is heavy, especially during weekends.

“We are hopeful for Silang Interchange’s rapid completion, as it will ease traffic, which, in turn, will encourage more people not only to pass by our municipality but also by the neighboring towns and cities,” Arnana said.