First 18-km segment of Tarlac-Cabanatuan expressway to open next month

The expressway connecting the cities of Tarlac and Cabanatuan is about to be completed. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) is already 94 percent complete. 

Central Luzon Link Expressway is now 94 percent complete

The CLLEX is a four-lane 30-kilometer expressway that connects Tarlac City, Tarlac to Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. It is said that CLLEX will significantly reduce travel time from the two cities to just 20 minutes, and will cater to more than 11,000 motorists and commuters daily. It is also expected to ease traffic at Daan Maharlika Highway.   

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar confirmed that motorists can start driving through the first 18-kilometer segment of CLLEX in July 2021. The first segment can cater to motorists 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.

The agency previously reported that the 10.5-kilometer portion at the Tarlac section and Rio Chico River Bridge sanction are now complete. On the other hand, the construction of the 9.2 km kilometers Aliaga Section of the expressway is 87 percent finished while the Cabanatuan Section is now 88 percent complete. 

Motorists going to Nueva Ecija will have a more efficient drive. 

DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain said that the issue about the right of way (ROW) is being monitored closely by the agency with the assistance of the Office of the Solicitor General. The DPWH also reported that it is currently discussing with other property owners in regards to the ROW. 

“We are hopeful that we will finally secure full site possession of the remaining required ROW to allow our construction activities to go on full throttle”, Sadain said.

Expropriation proceedings with the appropriate court were initiated for properties whose owners were unable to grant the request to donate or accept price offer for negotiated sale within a given timeframe.

There’s also an ongoing construction that involves the Zaragoza Interchange Bridge as well as a 4.88 kilometers access road, two pre-stressed concrete girder bridges, five reinforced box culverts for farm passage, and seven irrigation canals.

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