LLEX construction to start next year

MANILA, Philippines — The construction of the 12-kilometer Lapu-Lapu Expressway (LLEX), the first expressway in the Visayas and Mindanao, is set to begin next year.

This was confirmed by Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) president and general manager, Engr. Allan Alfon, on September 27.

Alfon mentioned that the Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) Group will hold a board meeting with the main proponent of LLEX, Premium Megastructure Inc., on September 30 to formalize their joint investment in the project.

The LLEX will be built through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, meaning the Lapu-Lapu City government will not incur any costs for its construction.

“Dako ang among kalipay sa maong balita nga nag kasabot ang MVP group of companies, PMI and Ulticon (Builders Inc.) nga ila ng pagasugdan ang maong proyekto,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan in a press conference yesterday.

Chan said that if the board approves the project, PMI and the MVP Group will sign the partnership agreement at Lapu-Lapu City Hall in the first week of next month.

“We are ringing the bell nga naa na gyud, masugdan na,” said Chan.

The estimated cost of the expressway is around P9 billion, depending on the final design agreed upon by the stakeholders.

“Amo pa ng gipaninguha na makakita mi og design sa among Value Engineering para ma-reduce pod nato, kay once ma reduce na then of course it follows, nga ang projected toll fees muggamay sad,” said Alfon.

The construction is expected to take approximately two and a half years to complete once it begins.

Upon completion, the private partners will have the concession to operate and maintain the expressway for 35 years, while the city government will receive a share of the revenue.

Chan said Lapu-Lapu City will receive 1% of the gross toll fees for the first 15 years, 1.5% from years 16 to 25, and 2% from years 26 to 35. Additionally, the city will receive 40% of the gross commercial revenues from billboards, advertisements, and other sources placed along the LLEX.

Regarding toll fees, Alfon stated that discussions with Mayor Chan and other stakeholders are still ongoing.

Benefits and challenge

Travel time from Cebu City to Lapu-Lapu City, which currently takes 35 minutes, will be reduced to just 12 minutes with the Lapu-Lapu Expressway (LLEX), according to  Chan.

He highlighted that the LLEX, aside from being a cost-free and income-generating project for the city, is expected to alleviate traffic congestion and bring economic benefits to Lapu-Lapu City.

The expressway will not only serve travelers heading to the airport but also help decongest roads in barangays such as Pajac, Buaya, Mactan, Bankal, and Punta Engaño, where both foreigners and locals reside.

Additionally, Alfon mentioned that the LLEX will streamline traffic in areas like Barangay Babag and Basak, directly connecting the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) to the Mactan International Airport via Aviation Road.

“Kani man gud na highway surely, dako gyud ni’g tabang sa pag-streamline sa traffic sa Lapu-Lapu City dinha dapita sa Babag, Basak. Plus naa sad tay alternate access padulong sa airport kay ari man ta muagi sa Aviation Road so effectively, dili ta maka-aggravate dinha sa Pusok—diba ang entry sa airport dinhi sa atubangan, kita ari ta sa luyo,” Alfon explained.

As construction of the LLEX is set to begin soon, Chan noted that at least 10 houses in Barangay Basak will need to be relocated. The city government will handle the relocation, as it can expedite the process more efficiently than private stakeholders. The relocation costs are included in the project budget.

“Dunay mga maigo, gamay lang di gyud dako because the road, atoang skyway will pass the aviation road which ang maigo lang kato lang ang widening part,” said Chan.

“Lesser kaayo ang maigo na balay sa atoang project mao nay gipaningkamutan gyud sa alignment nga gamay ra ang maigo nga balay,” he added. (CEBU NEWS)