DPWH eyes completion of CLLEX extension by first half of 2023

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that it plans to open the extension of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) by the first half of 2023.

CLLEX will improve the road network up north

With a length of seven kilometers, the extension will reach up to San Juan, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. It will be running from the Guimba-Aliaga Road intersection to San Juan Interchange, extending the already-accessible 18-km section of the CLLEX to 25 km.

DPWH is also undertaking the construction of three interchanges, namely Zaragoza, Aliaga, and San Juan. These interchanges will allow motorists from the secondary and provincial roads to access the CLLEX.

But according to DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, the completion of the extension could be delayed due to various challenges. Some of these include bad weather, right-of-way issues, difficulty in the transport of construction materials, and the COVID-19 situation.

The CLLEX extension is expected to be opened by the first half of 2023

Upon the project’s full completion, the 30-km CLLEX Project will provide fast, safe, comfortable, and reliable means of transport in Central Luzon. It will form an important east-west link for the Region 3 expressway network, providing a seamless traffic flow for motorists traveling from Metro Manila and vice versa passing through NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway)/TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway).

The travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City will also be reduced from the usual 70 minutes to just 20 minutes. As of this writing, the DPWH-UPMO, together with Nueva Ecija and Second District Engineering Offices, are working on the processing of right-of-way claims.

Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain joined the inspection of the construction

In addition, the CLLEX will be part of the agency’s ambitious Luzon Spine Expressway Network (LSEN) Program. It aims to provide a 9-hour travel time between Ilocos and Bicol from the usual 20 hours. Aside from faster traveling time, motorists using national roads will be lessened, resulting in less road damage and improved traffic.

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