I know what you’re thinking—the horrendous traffic in the South makes anyone just want to leave out work and stay home. It’s true in most cases and unfortunately, that’s not just in the South. In fact, a lot of projects have been pointing towards their direction to be able to amend and address the traffic situation..
One of which is the Metro Manila Subway which is set to be completed within a few years time. Although the Metro Manila Subway won’t reach Cavite, it’ll surely be a relief for people traveling to the busiest parts of Central Business Districts (CBDs).
Manila to Cavite in 45 minutes?
Now doesn’t that seem to be a little bit impossible? We thought so, too. However, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) started the construction of the newest toll road which is in Cavite.
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This is not just for Cavite to be able to have a better traffic system because if you’re not aware, the traffic in Cavite especially in the northernmost parts are terrible.
Last March 27, 2019, Officials of the MPCALA Holdings Inc., together with the DPWH started the Cavite part of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX). MPCALA Holdings Inc., is actually the major proponent and contributor to the project through bidding.
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To provide a brief background, MPCALA Holdings Inc., is a Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. unit which is under the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MCIP). They’re one of the country’s diversified largest conglomerates. Joining them would be the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), the country’s biggest distributor of electricity and operator of power plants, and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Philippines’ bet in terms of world-class telecommunications company.
What does this specific project involve?
Basing it on the image shared by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on their Twitter, the project actually necessitates a total of four (4) exits which includes the Open Canal Interchange in Imus, Cavite and the Governor’s Drive Interchange in Dasmariñas. More so, it also includes a 27.2-kilometer expressway that will feature four (4) lanes which will start from the ending of the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) going up to Silang, Cavite.
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The project actually started a few years back in 2017. They started the Laguna Segment which also had the same four (4) interchanges that starts in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and will have an ending to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
As per the Public-Private Partnership Center, this specific segment is just 28.25 percent in completion as of 2019 February.
However, when the entire CALAX, this 45-kilometer road is completed, the travel time from CAVITEX to SLEX and vice-versa can be cut to just a minimum of 45 minutes, as per officials. The usual is 90 minutes or an hour and a half and it can be cut in half because of the convenience that the newest CALAX can accommodate.
The DPWH says that this specific project is directed to decrease the congestion of traffic in major entryways in the South which are the most probable causes of traffic.
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The project aims to reduce traffic congestion particularly in Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road which are heavily congested. the DPWH said on its website. [And] improve [the] competitiveness of Region IV-A as an investment destination.”
In addition to that, the MPTC also operates on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Clark-Subic-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) in Central Luzon. So, they’re pretty much responsible for some of the convenience whenever we drive to our favorite local destinations.
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They also began on the building of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEx) which is an 8.5 kilometer link. This is their first project in the Visayas region with the hopes of fully maximizing the efficiency and the experience of everyone who will be taking on the roads.
So, if you frequently travel the South from Manila and vice-versa, the CALAX will be assisting you in terms of arriving in the best and fastest ways possible.
