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The Department of Public Works and Highways and San Miguel Holdings recently signed the P23.36-billion contract for the construction of the 59.4-kilometer extension of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway to San Juan, La Union
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SMC TPLEX Extension Infrastructure Corp. can now proceed with the detailed engineering design, parcellary plan, and right-of-way acquisition
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Civil works expected to start by July 2025
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The TPLEX Extension project will be divided in three segments, with the first segment aimed for completion before the current administration’s term ends in 2028
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The project will reduce travel time from Rosario to San Juan, La Union from the current one and a half hour to 40 minutes
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC) signed the P23.36-billion contract extending the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) to San Juan, La Union by 59.4 kilometers.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. witnessed the presentation of the signed Concession Agreement (CA) for the project, expected to reduce travel time between Rosario and San Juan in La Union from 90 minutes to 40 minutes.
“With the signed Concession Agreement for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX Extension Project, we are now witnessing another milestone that brings into fruition the Build Better More infrastructure program,” Marcos said.
“Remembering how the TPLEX became a driver of economic growth in Central and Northern Luzon when it was completed, we expect this extension to generate an even greater flurry of activity in Luzon,” the President said.
Aside from bringing in tourists and economic activities faster to the northern part of the country, Marcos said the project will also bring resources and food faster to the southern part of Luzon.
“We also expect [it] to forge value-adding partnerships among agriculture, industry, and tourism enterprises in the area as it links vital regional corridors and hubs. This will, of course, generate a significant number of decent jobs and more opportunities for all,” he added.
With the signing of the contract on July 3, SMHC’s SMC TPLEX Extension Infrastructure Corp. (STEIC) can now proceed with the detailed engineering design, parcellary plan, and right-of-way acquisition for all so that civil works can start by July 2025, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said in a statement.
DPWH in 2018 granted SMHC the original proponent status for its unsolicited proposal to extend TPLEX to San Juan, La Union. SMHC is also the proponent for the 78.39-km TPLEX that connects the provinces of Tarlac and Pangasinan.
The notice of award was issued to SMHC, the winning private component, on June 3, 2024.
The TPLEX Extension project will be divided in three segments, with the first segment aimed for completion before the end of the current administration’s term in 2028.
Segment 1 will start from the last exit of TPLEX at Rosario and end in Tubao, an additional 18.5 km of four-lane road; Segment 2 will cover the 23.1 km section from Tubao to Naguilian; and Segment 3 extends 17.8 km from Naguilian to San Juan, La Union.
The TPLEX Extension will have five interchanges: Rosario, Tubao, Naguilian, Bauang, and San Juan.
When completed, DPWH said the TPLEX Extension will reduce travel time from Rosario going to San Juan, La Union from the current one and a half hour to just 40 minutes, further promoting investments and economic development up north.
READ: TPLEX extension approved
