Expressway connecting Tarlac, Nueva Ecija almost complete

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that the expressway connecting Tarlac and Nueva Ecija is now almost complete. This means that motorists can soon maximize the entire 30-kilometer stretch of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX). 

Central Luzon Link Expressway

The agency shared that the CLLEX is now 96 percent complete. The first 18 kilometers of the expressway will be extended with additional 11 kilometers by March 2023. The extension will include seven kilometers up to San Juan Interchange, and four kilometers to Umangan-Julo Road before Felix Vergara Road and Daang Maharlika Highway.

As a review, the first 18 km of the CLLEX stretches from Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)/Tarlac - Pangasinan - La Union Expressway (TPLEX) connection in Tarlac City up to the intersection of Aliaga-Guimba Road in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.  

CLLEX’s first segment was initially opened last year. The DPWH said that it was able to provide motorists with an alternative option, resulting in better traffic flow. The agency added that it was also able to reduce transportation costs, which benefitted farmers of Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley Regions. 

The expressway is expected to fully open on March 2023

DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil Sadain said that the CLLEX is a toll-free highway that aims to support agricultural productivity under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.    

“The CLLEX Project will support the country’s new vision for improving agricultural productivity under the administration of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. Using this toll-free high standard highway, palay crops and other products from Nueva Ecija - the Philippines’ rice granary, including those coming from Region 2 can reach the market centers in Metro Manila much faster and cheaper,” Sadain said.

The CLLEX will reduce travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes

As an extension of the SCTEX and TPLEX, the CLLEX is considered a vital east-west link for the Luzon expressway network. The reason for this is that it is intended to provide seamless travel for the motoring public from Metro Manila and vice versa passing through North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), SCTEX, and TPLEX.  

Once fully operational, the CLLEX is said to reduce travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes, a significant cut from the usual 70-minute travel time.

Visit Philkotse.com for more traffic updates and the latest automotive news.