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THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it expects to start operations of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Phase 1, connecting Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) in Tarlac City and Maharlika Highway in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, by July 2025.
CLLEX is a flagship project under the "Build Better More" infrastructure program and forms a key component of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Bagong Pilipinas agenda. The initiative aims to stimulate inclusive growth, strengthen regional connectivity, and promote balanced development beyond Metro Manila.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain said that Contract Package 4 — a 10.30-kilometer segment known as the Cabanatuan Section — is now 98-percent complete.
Sadain said that the Contract Package 4, despite facing nearly two years of delay due to road right-of-way issues, is part of the 29.55-kilometer, four-lane expressway expected to reduce travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City from 70 minutes to just 20 minutes, benefitting over 11,200 motorists daily.
Key components of the Contract Package 4 under contract with Qingdao Municipal Construction Group Co., Ltd., includes one interchange; three bridges; eight reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBCs); seven farm passages; multiple underpasses; and asphalt pavement works.
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Meanwhile, Contract Package 5 or the Zaragoza Interchange is being constructed by the Pacific Concrete Products, Inc. and China Construction First Group Corp. Limited Consortium, and is currently 73.46 percent complete.
This segment involves: Zaragoza Interchange Bridge (113.4 linear meters); 4.88-kilometer access road; two bridges (19.4 linear meters); five equalizer reinforced concrete box culverts; two farm passages; and seven irrigation canals.
Completion of Contract Package 5 is expected within the third quarter of 2025.
Completion of Contract Package 5 is expected within the third quarter of 2025. While most of CLLEX is funded through a loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), this package is fully financed by the Philippine government.
Once completed, CLLEX Phase 1 is expected to provide a fast, safe, and reliable route across Region 3, significantly boosting logistics, reducing traffic congestion, and linking urban centers with key agricultural zones.
