DPWH evaluating SMC proposal to extend TPLEX

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is evaluating the P24 billion proposal of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to extend the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) by 54-kilometers (km) from Rosario to San Juan in La Union.

The agency said the proposal submitted by SMC’s infrastructure arm San Miguel Holdings Corp. for the TPLEX Extension is up for evaluation.

“DPWH acknowledged the submission subject for evaluation as to completeness,” the agency said.

Based on the proposal submitted by SMC last Feb. 14, the company would build a four-lane toll road starting from the last exit of the TPLEX in Rosario, La Union to San Juan, La Union.

SMC has divided the project in three segments with Segment 1 covering 18-km from Rosario to Tubao, Segment 2 spanning 23-km from Tubao to Naguilian, and Segment 3 involving the 18.4-km stretch from Naguilian to San Juan.

Through the project, SMC wants to help promote the development of Northern Luzon.

It is also expected to facilitate connectivity to Central Luzon and Metro Manila through high speed mobility and secured access.

Late last month, SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said the company has submitted a proposal to extend TPLEX even further to Ilocos.

TPLEX is an 89.31-km expressway from Tarlac City, Tarlac to Rosario, La Union, with three phases.

The expressway’s Segment 7, Section 3A-1 from Urdaneta City to Binalonan, officially opened in July 2016.

TPLEX Segment 7, Section 3A-2, from Binalonan to Pozorrubio in Pangasinan, meanwhile, opened to motorists in December last year.

The last segment or Section 3B covers Pozorrubio in Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union.

Based on the timetable posted on the DPWH website, Section 3B is expected to be completed by June next year.

Apart from TPLEX, SMC is involved in other tollway projects such as the South Luzon Expressway, Skyway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway, and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road or STAR Tollway.