By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Motorists headed to the provinces to observe the solemnity of Holy Week are in for a treat, as some new roads open up to the public in a bid to reduce travel time and drive down fuel expenses.
This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the opening of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Contract Package 4 (Aliaga–Cabanatuan Section) in a ceremony on Tuesday.
The completed segment features a dual carriageway, four-lane, 9.50-kilometer portion of the expressway, enhancing connectivity across Central Luzon by linking Nueva Ecija with the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.
Approximately 11,200 motorists are expected to greatly benefit from the completion of the CLLEX’s segments, with travel time between the cities of Tarlac and Cabanatuan reduced from 1 hour and 10 minutes to just 20 minutes.
The Chief Executive said in a media interview, “Alam niyo naman ang Nueva Ecija ay iyan ang rice granary ng Pilipinas ngayon. Malaking bagay ito dahil ang dating tumatagal ang biyahe na tumatagal dati ng isang oras kalahati, one hour thirty minutes ay magiging twenty minutes na lang, dalawampung minuto na lang.”
He added further, “Patuloy nating ginagawa ito para maging mas madali ang pagbiyahe ng tao at [eventually mabuksan] ang pinakaunang east-west na highway.”
The opening of Contract Package 4 (San Juan Interchange) complements the 3 other sections of the expressway that were opened to motorists in the past few years, with Contract Package 1 (Tarlac Interchange) completed on May 2019, Contract Package 2 (Rio Chico Viaduct) completed on January 2021, and Contract Package 3 (Aliaga Interchange) completed on January 2023.
As of press time, the section between the San Juan Interchange and Maharlika Highway in Cabanatuan are yet to be completed, with further plans to extend the expressway remaining under wraps and up for further discussion. (with reports from Kenneth Paciente and Sheila Natividad | PTV News)
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