Earlier today, October 22, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) conducted a final inspection of the first 10km segment of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway. We visited the site only recently, and we were told then that this initial segment will open by the end of the month.
Now, DPWH secretary Mark Villar has given his assurance that the portion connecting Mamplasan and the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road will indeed be accessible to motorists by October 30, 2019.
“The project is 90% completed,” said Villar. “The remaining 10% are portions of the expressway that need to be harmonized, and we are fast-tracking those portions.
“In the meantime, we will ensure that CALAX will be passable and ready to serve motorists this October 30, in time for Undas. We will open the entry and exit points at Mamplasan, Binan, Laguna, and Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road. That’s a long weekend, and apart from paying respects to the dearly departed, I’m sure a lot of families would want to take advantage of this time to do some bonding in Tagaytay, Batangas, and Manila.”
Motorists should take note, however, that the other entry and exit points located in between Mamplasan and Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road are still being constructed and will not be accessible in the meantime.
Still, the DPWH expects 10,000 vehicles to utilize this initial segment once it opens—Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles will be accommodated. The section takes approximately 10 minutes to drive through, which is significantly quicker than the current 45-minute travel time between the two endpoints. Toll fees will be temporarily waived—no word yet as to when management will begin charging motorists or how much the rates will be.
“We are in close coordination with the DPWH; together, we align with the different stakeholders and update them of the developments in the construction, [and] inform them of the features of the expressway and the benefits that CALAX will bring to the areas it will traverse” said MP Cala Holdings president Bobby Bontia. “We jointly agreed to open and serve motorists who will travel this Semana Santa.”
This is great news for motorists down south, especially considering how congested the roads can get during this time of the year. Will you be using this expressway soon?
