Part of the first 18-kilometer portion of the Central Luzon Link Expressway connecting the provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. Photo courtesy of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
  • The opened portion is from Subic-Clark Expressway/Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway connection in Tarlac City up to the intersection of Aliaga-Guimba Road in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija
  • Once fully operational, the P11.811-billion expressway is seen to shorten travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes from 70 minutes
  • DPWH aims to complete the entire 30-km length of the P11.811-billion expressway during the current administration

The first 18-kilometer portion of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) connecting the provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija is now open to motorists.

The four-lane, toll-free expressway from Subic-Clark Expressway (SCTEX)/Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) connection in Tarlac City up to the intersection of Aliaga-Guimba Road in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija was inaugurated on July 15.

According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the initial part of CLLEX opened consists of three sections under three contract packages: 4.10-km Tarlac Section; 6.40-km Rio Chico River Bridge Section, including the 1.5-km Rio Chico Viaduct; and Aliaga Section with up and down ramps at Guimba-Aliaga Road.

DPWH said the partial opening of CLLEX up to Aliaga is expected to provide options to motorists and spread out traffic.

CLLEX was first proposed in 2010 by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which also funded the project through a loan. The project groundbreaking and start of construction was held in 2017.

DPWH said it aims to complete the entire 30-km expressway project within the current administration. The 10.3-km Cabanatuan Section under Contract Package 4 is already 88.7% complete, while the Zaragoza Interchange Section under Contract Package 5 is at 26.9% and expected to move ahead as site possessions are secured for the project’s right-of-way requirements.

Once fully operational, the P11.811-billion expressway is seen to shorten travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes from 70 minutes.

It will also form an important east-west link for the expressway network of Central Luzon to ensure a continuous seamless traffic flow for the motoring public from Metro Manila and vice versa passing through North Luzon Expressway, SCTEX, and TPLEX.

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