CALAX on track for completion

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is moving closer to its target of finishing the entire P35.43-billion CaviteLaguna Expressway (CALAX) project within the term of the current administration as it eyes to open another section of the alignment by the first quarter of next year.

“We are hoping that maybe by the end of the year, but possibly first quarter of next year we can open the East Silang Exit. That’s the first exit after Laguna,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

“We’re targeting to finish the whole alignment within this administration. I think we’re well underway,” he said.

Roberto Bontia, president of MPTC-unit MPCALA Holdings Inc., said the company is on track to open the new CALAX section by the first quarter of 2021.

He said the company is also working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to complete the entire project within the term of the current administration.

CALAX is designed to be a four-lane, 45.3-kilometer tolled expressway that will connect the Manila-Cavite Expressway in Kawit to South Luzon Expressway at Mamplasan Interchange in Binan Laguna.

The project will have interchanges in eight locations, namely: Kawit, Daang Hari, Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang, Sta. RosaTagaytay, Laguna Blvd., Technopark, and a Toll Barrier before SLEX.

The project is divided into two major portions, namely the Cavite segment spanning 27.2 kms and the From C1 Laguna segment covering 18.1 kms.

The completion of the entire alignment is expected to cut travel time between Kawit, Cavite and Binan City, Laguna to 45 minutes from the current 90 minutes, making industrial zones, residential areas and tourist destinations around the two provinces more accessible.

Its first 10-km portion between Mamplasan, Binan City and Sta. Rosa was opened to commuters in November last year.

Construction activities for the project were suspended on March 17 due to the enhanced community quarantine, but works resumed on May 25.

The DPWH said overall accomplishment for construction on that Laguna segment is currently at 73 percent.

Last week, MPTC paid the government the second tranche of the concession fees for CALAX amounting to P4.37 billion ahead of its July 10 due date .

The payment is the second of six tranches amounting to P27.3 billion in total concession fees under the 35-year CALAX concession.

MPTC paid the first tranche amounting to P5.46 billion in July 2015.