The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it is “feasible” for the fifth segment of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) to be operational by the first quarter of 2023.
“Slightly, we’re affected by ROW (right-of-way) issues at trial courts, especially at Silang. But there’s a meeting at the site with the LGU (local government unit) that will assist us to settle such,” Alex Bote, director of the DPWH Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Service, said in a statement.
The Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange is the fifth of the eight segments of the 45-kilometer Calax. It is a 3.9-km, 2×2 lane expressway from Silang East Interchange to Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite.
About 64 percent of the Calax Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange subsection of the Calax project has been completed so far.
MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI), the private proponent of the Calax project, earlier said the target date for the opening of the subsection has been moved several times, with the latest being December 2022.
MHI said one critical portion for the completion of the interchange is the undelivered ROW of about 450 meters of land which is owned by a private corporation.
Despite the ROW problems, Bote is optimistic Calax will be completed by first quarter next year.
“Still, the target of completion up to Aguinaldo is feasible by first quarter next year,” he said.
Silang, Cavite Mayor Kevin Anarna earlier said he is willing to help MHI to resolve the ROW issue to speed up the completion of Calax.
Upon completion, the Calax Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange will serve more motorists by easing the traffic situation. Current average daily traffic is 33,000 from Mamplasan to Silang East interchange. This is expected to increase to 40,000 once the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange is opened. – Myla Iglesias
By Malaya Business Insight -December 5, 2022
