EXPRESSWAY holdings firm Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. fully opened on Monday the first segment of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax), a 10.7-kilometer stretch that runs from Mamplasan to the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange.
Since it was partially opened last October, the segment has been serving roughly 10,000 vehicles per day. With the full opening of the segment, the road is expected to help curb traffic congestion in various portions of the Laguna province.
“The end to end opening of the first segment of Calax is imperative to reduce traffic congestion in various parts of Laguna specifically Laguna Boulevard and Aguinaldo Highway. Now that all lanes are accessible, it serves as a viable option for motorists given the growing traffic demands in the area,” MPCala Holdings Inc. President Roberto V. Bontia said on Monday.
The company has received approval from the Toll Regulatory Board to collect fees today, Tuesday. The rates are as follows: P47 for Class 1 vehicles (cars), P95 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and small commercial trucks) and P143 for Class 3 vehicles (large trucks or trailers).
Bontia added that the company has started the construction of the Cavite side of the expressway, a 35-kilometer segment which runs from Silang to Kawit, and is seen to help improve traffic in those areas. This segment should be completed by 2022.
Calax is envisioned to be a four-lane, 45-kilometer roll road that will connect the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex) and the South Luzon Expressway (Slex). It will have eight interchanges—Kawit, Daang Hari, Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Boulevard, Technopark and a Toll Barrier before Slex.
The expressway will be equipped with Automatic License Plate Recognition System, which enables a “barrier-less entry.” It will also sport IP-based Speed Detection Cameras, CCTVs, and will feature various commercial establishments, such as gasoline stations, retail outlets, convenience stores and restaurants, among others.