A portion of the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) will be operational by September, according to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC).
MPTC unit Metro Pacific Tollways South said in a statement that Calax Silang Aguinaldo Interchange is now 91 percent complete and is targeted to be opened to motorists this September.
Ongoing construction activities include the development of the toll plaza, concrete pouring for the main line and median barriers, as well as various finishing works. In the upcoming phases, the focus will be on the construction of toll facilities, including road lights, signages and sound barriers.
The company said preparations for the toll collection system are also underway. Once operational, this is expected to cater to an additional 5,000 daily motorists.
Looking ahead, the company said Calax will further expand to a total of 45 km by 2024 and will feature eight interchanges: Technopark, Laguna Boulevard, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, Silang East, Silang (Aguinaldo), Governor’s Drive, Open Canal and Kawit Interchange. It will connect to the Manila-Cavite Expressway in Kawit.
Currently, its operational segments stretch from Mamplasan Rotunda up to Silang East Interchange.
Meanwhile, MPTC unit NLEX Corp. continues to implement its Greening the NLEX program with the support of 500 volunteers from different bus companies, private and government agencies, and youth organizations
Launched in 2006, the program highlights the tollway company’s commitment to protect the environment and contribute to cleaner air and a healthier ecology by planting 10,000 trees every year along the mainline and interchanges of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
Designed to mitigate the effects of global warming and environment imbalance, the tree planting was recognized by various stakeholders and has encouraged an increasing number of public and private organizations to support the greening initiative, NLEX Corp. said.
“Our company has always been guided by the time-honored value of ‘malasakit’, wherein caring for the environment also means caring for the future generation. It is our hope that through this program, we are able to provide a healthier and cleaner environment, and leave a greener NLEX to our kids,” said Luigi Bautista, NLEX Corp. president.
Aside from encouraging stakeholders to be environmentally responsible, the tree planting also aims to rekindle the spirit of volunteerism and promotes camaraderie among the participants, the company added. – Myla Iglesias
