MPTC proposes P40 billion Calax link to Bataan-Cavite bridge

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) will seek the government’s approval to build a direct link between the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) and the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, a project that could cost up to P40 billion.

MPT South Corp., a subsidiary of MPTC, is eyeing to put up an access road connecting CALAX and the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge to speed up the flow of traffic between Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.

MPT South president and general manager Raul Ignacio said the proposed connector road will span at least 25 kilometers, covering the Naic end of the bridge and the General Trias leg of CALAX.

Given the complexity of the alignment – sitting close to the coastal line – the project will employ a mix of at-grade and elevated roads. Ignacio said initial estimates show that the link would cost as much as P40 billion, subject to change depending on the final design.

MPT South is currently negotiating with the local government of Cavite to draw up the route of the project. Afterward, the company will develop an unsolicited proposal that will be submitted to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center for its review and approval.

“We are in discussion with the provincial government of Cavite on a possible Naic connection to CALAX in General Trias,” Ignacio said.

If the proposal gets approved, MPT South has to shake up CALAX a bit to build an interchange between Governor’s Drive and Open Canal in General Trias, leading all the way to Naic.

As optimistic as Ignacio sounds, he said the future of the access road lies in the completion of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, a project being raised by the government through loans.

“The proposal hinges on the completion of the Bataan-Cavite (bridge), but we were informed it will really be pursued, that contracts are being bid out, so we have to start executing on our side. Our proposal will be a PPP, it will go through a process,” Ignacio said.

The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge will stretch for 32.15 kilometers above the Manila Bay and will connect Mariveles, Bataan with Naic, Cavite. The bridge, costing P175.66 billion, will cut the travel time from Bataan to Cavite to just 45 minutes, from 5.5 hours at present.

The project is financed by the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and is scheduled to be opened by the end of 2029.

Meanwhile, CALAX covers 44.58 kilometers between Kawit, Cavite and Biñan, Laguna, and is projected to be opened in its entirety by the third quarter of 2025.