Central Luzon Link Expressway Segment in Tarlac to Open Soon

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar announced that the construction of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Phase 1, Contract Package 1, beginning at the connection of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) in Balincanaway, Tarlac is nearing completion.

Secretary said during the project inspection on Friday, May 24, that the Contract Package 1 with a budget amounting to PHP1.603 billion is now 97-percent completed.

Contract Package 1 involves the construction of a four-lane expressway, spanning 4.1 kilometers, with the provision of an underpass bridge and two farm passages.

Overall, the CLLEX Phase 1 is divided into four packages which covers the construction of a 30-kilometer, four-lane expressway which, when completed, will shorten the usual travel time of 70 minutes between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes.

Its alignment will traverse the municipalities of La Paz in Tarlac and Zaragoza and Aliaga in Nueva Ecija and will benefit an annual average daily traffic of 11,200 motorists.

"This project will decongest Daang Maharlika by 48 percent by serving as an alternate route to and fro the two cities. Aside from that, we expect the project to promote more livelihood opportunities in Region 3 that will further contribute in reducing traffic in Metro Manila," said Villar.

The CLLEX Phase 1 is being implemented by the DPWH-UPMO Road Management Cluster I headed by Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain with a total budget cost of PHP14.93 billion from the Official Development Assistance (ODA) Fund.

"As part of the 'Build, Build, Build' program, this project will help in boosting economic and tourism growth in the region by providing a safe, fast, comfortable, and reliable road network," Villar.