If you’ve always wanted to travel along more of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) on your way to the southern provinces, that dream is a step closer to reality. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) says that the first part of the expressway’s Toll Road 4 (TR4) will be operational by next year.
Soon, SLEX won't have to end at Calamba in Laguna
According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, the tollway’s operator San Miguel Corporation (SMC) plans to open the first 20-km segment of the extension to travelers by the first quarter of 2022. This portion will run from Makban in Bay, Laguna to Tiaong in Quezon, with work on the segment currently at 21 percent completion.
“Balak po naming tapusin ang first portion hanggang Tiaong by next year para mapakinabangan na ang SLEX TR4 at para umabot na ang expressway network hanggang Quezon,” he said.
(We plan to finish the first portion up to Tiaong by next year so that SLEX TR4 can be used by motorists, extending the expressway network to Quezon)
SLEX TR4 is part of the planned expressway network in Luzon [Image: DPWH]
Villar adds that the secured right-of-way (ROW) acquisitions have already reached over 50 percent. He expressed confidence that the project is on track to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network (LSEN) Program, the SLEX TR4 is designed to span 66.74 kilometers, extending from the SLEX southern terminus in Calamba, Laguna to Lucena, Quezon. Construction has been divided into five phases, with a revised project outline adding another proposed extension to Mayao in Lucena.
The roadway commences from Sto. Tomas in Batangas, passing through Makban and San Pablo in Laguna, then Tiaong, Candelaria, and Tayabas in Quezon, arriving at Lucena. With an estimated project cost of Php 13.10 billion, the project aims to decongest traffic along the existing national road between Sto. Tomas and Lucena, providing an alternate route for motorists from Quezon to the Bicol region.
More traffic infrastructure updates are in store for you at Philkotse.com.