CALAX Subsection 5S aimed at 2021 third quarter opening

As per the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Subsection 5S is nearing completion, with the expressway extension now 83% built. This means travels from Cavite to Laguna will soon be faster than the usual.

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At present, the government agency and a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI), are fast-tracking the construction of the expressway extension in order to finish it immediately and start catering to motorists. As mentioned, the CALAX Subsection 5S is now 83% complete, meaning, about 6 km of the 7.2-kilometer link roads have already been constructed.

The DPWH and MPCALA are now working on bridge decks, pavement construction, drainage works, road furniture, sound barriers, as well as structures of the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange. Once the CALAX Subsection 5S has been completed, travels from Cavite to Laguna are expected to be faster than usual.

As travel restrictions are slowly but surely being lifted, this new subsection of CALAX will help accelerate economic progress in Laguna and Cavite by providing interconnection between the two provinces of Region 4-A. This segment is crucial since it is expected to serve almost 5,000 cars per day, and will ease traffic along Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road once opened.

Mark Villar
DPWH Secretary

Despite the several limitations and challenges being faced due to the ongoing pandemic, the DPWH Secretary remains optimistic, confidently stating that they will be able to deliver completion of DPWH projects in accordance with their target dates. As for the CALAX Subsection 5S, Secretary Mark Villar says that they wanted it open by the third quarter of 2021.

Right of way acquisition has been a challenge, so we are giving our full effort to deliver and eventually open with as little deviation to the original timeline as possible. The completed and operational segments namely Mamplasan to Santa Rosa are currently servicing about 10,000 vehicles daily. We target to finish the whole 45km stretch of CALAX and serve 50,000 cars before 2022 ends.

Mark Villar
DPWH Secretary