DPWH speeds up construction of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway

The Department of Public Works and Highways has reported an actual accomplishment of 42.52 percent on the construction of the initial phase of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway.

Secretary of Public Works and Highways Rogelio L. Singson said the P11.594-billion worth PPP project involves the construction in two phases of an 88.58-kilometer toll expressway from La Paz, Tarlac (terminus of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) to Rosario, La Union.

"The completion of this expressway will greatly contribute in improving traffic condition along McArthur Highway and will provide faster, safer, and more comfortable means of transportation to northbound vehicles and vice versa," said Singson.

According to Director Rebecca Garsuta of the DPWH Built Operate Transfer – Project Management Office, Phase 1 is the construction of new 2-lane expressway, 23 viaducts, 8 interchanges, 2 central toll plaza, 1 toll operations center building, 12 bridges, and 63 underpasses; Phase 2, on the other hand, is the expansion into 4 lanes to be undertaken when capacity reaches 25,000 vehicles.

The alignment runs parallel to McArthur Highway, passing through the municipalities of Victoria, Gerona, Paniqui, Moncada, and San Manuel in Tarlac; Carmen, Urdaneta, Binalonan, Pozzorubio, and Sison in Pangasinan; and Rosario in La Union.

The national government will provide funding support of P3.7 billion corresponding to the amount of P793 million for right-of-way acquisition, and P2.907 billion cash subsidy for civil works.

The consortium of six construction firms which were awarded construction contract for TPLEX are R.D. Policarpio and Co. Inc. for Sta. 0+712.17 to Sta.7+260; New Kanlaon Construction, Inc. for Sta. 8+920 to Sta. 16+500; D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc. for Sta. 16+500 to Sta. 23+920; D.M. Consunji Inc. for Sta. 26+320 to Sta. 49+360; C.M. Pancho Const. Inc. for Sta. 7+260 to Sta. 8+920; and J.E. Manalo & Co. for Sta. 23+920 to Sta. 26+320. The project concessionaire is Private Infra Dev Corporation. -PIA — ARA