DPWH, MPCALA open CALAX Silang East Interchange

MANILA: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), together with MPCALA Holdings Inc., inaugurated the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Silang East Interchange Section today, August 24.

The CALAX is a P56-billion road infrastructure project granted by the DPWH to MHI, a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC). The 45-kilometer expressway connects the provinces of Cavite and Laguna, aiming to serve around 45,000 motorists once completed.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Senator Bong Go, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, Silang, Cavite Mayor Corazon Poblete, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation President Jose Ma. Lim, MPTC President and Chief Executive Officer Rodrigo Franco, and MHI President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Bontia.

In his speech, Bontia stated, "We are grateful for the trust and continued partnership with the government of the Philippines in providing the much-needed mobility infrastructure in the form of CALAX to help boost tourism and economic activity in the Calabarzon region."

The completion of the CALAX Silang East Interchange Section allows motorists to travel from Mamplasan in Biñan, Laguna up to Silang East, exiting at Tibig Road in Silang. The newly opened segment targets to serve 5,000 motorists daily and aims to decongest traffic coming from Governor's Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road.

Sec. Villar said, "CALAX is included in the Luzon Spine Expressway Network--a master plan aimed at increasing the high-standard highway network by three-fold. We are now closer to our dream of connecting the northernmost part of Luzon to its southernmost portion. We are confident that we will be able to deliver majority of this high-impact project within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte."

The toll rates in CALAX will now range from P14 to P64 for Class 1 vehicles, P29 to P128 for Class 2 vehicles, and P43 to P192 for Class 3 vehicles, depending on the entry and exit points.

Upon completion, the entire CALAX stretch will have interchanges at Kawit, Governor's Drive, Open Canal, Silang (Aguinaldo) Highway, Silang East, Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Boulevard, and Laguna Technopark. It is expected that the travel time between Cavite and Laguna will be reduced from two hours to under an hour once the CALAX becomes fully operational. The Toll Regulatory Board has also commended the expressway for its modern features and described it as the Philippines' most advanced toll road.

CALAX is also designed to be a green and sustainable highway. The array of flora and green spaces that surround the expressway helps to absorb carbon emissions of vehicles. CALAX also uses LED lighting systems and renewable solar energy to power its toll plazas, toll equipment, and operations management center.

Aside from CALAX, MPTC also manages the operations of Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), NLEX Connector Road, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).

Photos from MPCALA Holdings, Inc.

Also read: Villar: Cavitex C5 Link to be completed by 2022