The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), led by secretary, Mark Villar, has just finished their inspection of the ongoing construction of the 7.2-kilometer, Subsection 5 of the of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX). This segment spans the length of Sta. Rosa, Laguna – Silang, Cavite.
“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,” said public works secretary, Mark Villar.
The MPCALA HOLDINGS INC. (MHI), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), has already achieved 83% construction progress on the new Subsection 5 of CALAX.
Sec. Villar, added that everything is right on schedule, and this section of CALAX is expected to be opened to the motoring public by third quarter of this year. The only challenge, however, is the right-of-way (ROW) acquisition.
“With the combined efforts of DPWH and MHI, 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 [the] construction efforts to avoid any unnecessary delay, while ensuring safety in the workplace,” said Roberto Bontia, MPCALA president and GM.
Subsection 5 covers 7.2 kilometers of the expressway, stretching from the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange to the Silang East Interchange. Ongoing works include a bridge deck and pavement construction, drainage works, road furniture and sound barriers, and structures (toll booths) of the Silang Interchange.
Villar also added that they intend to finish the entire 45-kilometer stretch of CALAX from Kawit, Cavite to Biñan, Laguna in a little over a year. “We target to finish the whole 45-km stretch of CALAX and serve 50,000 cars [daily] before 2022 ends.”
While the Sta. Rosa-Silang section is being completed, works are also being simultaneously done over the other subsections. One particular subsection — subsection 4 Aguinaldo Highway in Silang — is scheduled to open by first quarter of 2022.
