MANILA – Motorists can look forward to a seamless drive along the Central Luzon Link Expressway as the construction for the second package commences this month, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.
The Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) is a 30-km expressway that connects the two large cities of Tarlac and Cabanatuan. It traverses the municipalities of La Paz, Zaragosa, Aliaga, and Caalibangbangan.
According to Secretary Mark A. Villar, the Rio Chico Bridge Section will help reduce travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City from 70 minutes to 20 minutes.
A total P3.7 billion was allotted for the project through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Villar led Friday (Sept. 22) the ground breaking at Brgy. Guevara, La Paz, Tarlac, together with Undersecretary Emil Sadain.
“The Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) Project originates from the connection of SCTEx and of TPLEx in Balincanaway, Tarlac City and traverses the Paz in Tarlac, Zaragosa and Aliaga in Nueva Ecija, and Caalibangbangan in Cabanatuan City. When completed it is expected to decongest traffic in the Pan Philippine Highway by 48%,” Villar noted.
“The project will provide an important lateral (east-west) link for the overall expressway network in Region III and provide faster access to Cabanatuan — which is base for Pacific Ocean Coastal Area Development,” he added.
DPWH said it continues its efforts at improving connectivity and seamless road transport in the entire country. Several in the regional level in Luzon as well as those in Visayas and Mindanao have been approved and are ongoing feasibility studies and actual construction.
“The Build Build Build mandate of the President is clear — infrastructure development and progress must be felt throughout the country. The CLLex project will not only benefit 11,200 motorists per day, it will also support the socio-economic development of Regional Growth Pole Cities of Tarlac and Cabanatuan,” Villar noted.