Cavite–Laguna Expressway

The Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CALAX[4][5][6] or CALAEX), signed as E3 of the Philippine expressway network,[lower-alpha 1] is a partially operational controlled-access toll expressway in the provinces of Cavite and Laguna, Philippines. The construction of the 44.63-kilometer-long (27.73 mi) expressway, which began in July 2019, costs an estimated ₱35.43 billion.[1] Once completed, it will connect the Manila–Cavite Expressway in Kawit to the South Luzon Expressway in Biñan and is expected to ease the traffic congestion in the Cavite–Laguna area, particularly along the Aguinaldo Highway, Governor's Drive, and the Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road.[7]


Cavite–Laguna Expressway
Map of expressways in Luzon, with Cavite–Laguna Expressway marked in orange
Cavite Laguna Expressway 20220828.jpg
The expressway southbound near Biñan–Santa Rosa boundary in August 2022
Route information
Maintained by MPCALA Holdings Incorporated
Length44.63 km[1] (27.73 mi)
(includes the currently operational 14.24-kilometer (8.85 mi)[2] segment)
Existed2019–present
Component
highways		 E3
Restrictions
  • Motorcycles below 400cc[3]
Major junctions
West endTibig-Kaong Road in Silang, Cavite
Major intersections N420 (Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road) in Santa Rosa, Laguna
East end AH 26 (E2) (SLEX) / Greenfield Parkway / LIIP Avenue in Biñan
Future
West end E3 (Manila–Cavite Expressway) in Kawit, Cavite
Major intersections
Location
CountryPhilippines
ProvincesCavite and Laguna
Major citiesImus, Dasmariñas, General Trias, Biñan, and Santa Rosa
TownsKawit and Silang
Highway system
  • Roads in the Philippines

Route description
The expressway's southern terminus at Mamplasan in Biñan, Laguna
The expressway in Silang, Cavite

CALAX begins as the Mamplasan Rotunda, a roundabout intersecting with South Luzon Expressway's Greenfield City-Unilab (Mamplasan) Exit, LIIP Avenue, and Greenfield Parkway in Biñan.[8] It continues west then making a reverse curve to the southwest through the future Greenfield City Biñan development.[9] It enters the Laguna Boulevard right of way near the boulevard's intersection with Greenfield Parkway. It approaches the first toll plaza near the Verdana Homes gated community, and continues southwest, passing through a mix of developed and undeveloped areas at barangays Loma, Timbao and Malamig, then turning south into barangay Biñan, where it passes near Laguna Technopark, De La Salle University – Laguna Campus and several gated communities; access for them is provided by service roads. The expressway partially runs above grade, utilizing underpass bridges, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls and a viaduct at this section to pass above major intersections and accesses.

Entering Santa Rosa, CALAX descends into grade level to cross the Silang–Santa Rosa River and clear a power line, then gently curves to the southwest to follow the Nuvali Boulevard right of way, where the expressway ascends above grade again to pass over South Boulevard, served by the Laguna Boulevard Exit. Past the exit, it leaves the Nuvali Boulevard right of way and crosses the Silang–Santa Rosa River once again, this time the Cavite–Laguna provincial boundary into Silang. It makes another reverse curve through cornfields to the Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Exit, a trumpet interchange which leads to Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road.

The expressway continues southwest and makes a few turns before traversing a bridge and enters a cut section, passing near the Ayala Westgrove Heights. It turns northwest and passes under Tibig Road before ending at Silang East Exit, a diamond interchange which leads to Tibig-Kaong Road. A future road will be built west of the Silang East interchange that will connect to the Cavite segment of the expressway.

History

Construction and groundbreaking
Construction of underpass along Nuvali Boulevard in Santa Rosa (May 2018)
First CALAX logo. Still used alternatively.
CALAEX logo variant. Also used alternatively.

There were four pre-qualified bidders vying for CALAX: Alloy MTD Philippines Inc.; Team Orion, the consortium of AC Infrastructure Holdings Inc., AboitizLand, Inc., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Philippines; MPCALA Holdings Inc.; and Optimal Infrastructure Development Inc. of San Miguel Corporation.[10]

On June 12, 2014, Team Orion, the joint venture of Ayala Corporation and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, won the bid, placing a concession payment of ₱11.659 billion for the public-private partnership (PPP) project. Optimal Infrastructure was disqualified on grounds that its bid security fell short of the 180 days required by the government. Its bid envelope specified a financial bid of ₱20.105 billion.[11]

After a brief hiatus, the government decided to rebid the project in 2015 to ensure that the government gets the best deal. MPCALA Holdings, the consortium led by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation won by submitting a concession premium of ₱27.3 billion to be paid to the government. This is higher than San Miguel's bid of ₱22.2 billion.[12]

Groundbreaking of the project occurred on June 19, 2017, and right-of-way acquisition is continuing as of October 2017.[13] According to a statement by MPCALA Holdings President Luigi Bautista, construction of the Cavite portion of the expressway was expected to begin in April 2018.[14] The groundbreaking ceremony for the Cavite segment was eventually held on March 27, 2019.[15][16][17][18] Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways, then headed by Secretary Mark Villar, expected the Laguna segment to be opened by October 2019.[19] The Laguna segment became partially operational while the Cavite segment is still undergoing construction. Both segments were expected to be fully operational and completed by 2022,[20] but was delayed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[21] and again to 2024 due to construction delays.[22]

Partial opening of Laguna segment and extension to Silang, Cavite
Aerial view of CALAX in Silang, Cavite

The first 8.9 kilometers (5.5 mi)[lower-alpha 2] of the expressway has been made accessible on October 30, 2019, in time for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. The entry and exit points at Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna and Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road were opened to serve an estimated 10,000 cars. According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, this will cut travel time from 45 minutes to just 10 minutes.[23][24] However, the segment was supposed to be operational back in December 2018 or by February 2019.[25]

The expressway was closed from January 28 to 31 and February 4 to 7, 2020 at 1:00 AM to 4:00 AM (PST) to give way for construction and clearing operations due to ashfalls brought by the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption.[26][27]

On August 18, 2020, the Laguna Technopark and Laguna Boulevard Exits in Biñan and Santa Rosa, respectively, were opened to the public.[28]

On August 24, 2021, the 6-kilometer (3.7 mi) section leading to the Silang East interchange in Silang, Cavite was opened to the public.[2] However, this segment was supposed to be operational back in June 2021.[29] Meanwhile, the section leading to the Silang West (Aguinaldo) interchange was completed in April 2023.[30][31]

Toll

Cavite–Laguna Expressway is a closed road system, where motorists pay a toll rate based on the vehicle class and distance travelled. Toll collection is done upon exit.[32][33] The electronic toll collection (ETC) system on the expressway is operated by Easytrip Services Corporation and collections are done on mixed lanes at the toll barriers.

In accordance with law, all toll rates include a 12% value-added tax.

Class Toll
Class 1
(Cars, Motorcycles, SUVs, Jeepneys)		 ₱4.494/km
Class 2
(Buses, Light Trucks)		 ₱8.989/km
Class 3
(Heavy Trucks)		 ₱13.483/km

Exits

This entire route is located in Calabarzon. Exits will be numbered by kilometer posts, with Rizal Park in Manila designated as kilometer zero. 

ProvinceCity/MunicipalitykmmiExitNameDestinationsNotes
CaviteKawitKawit N62 (Tirona Highway) / N64 (Centennial Highway) / Covelandia Road – Kawit, Tanza, Ternate, Maragondon, NasugbuTrumpet interchange; future western terminus; continues as E3 (Manila–Cavite Expressway)[34]
Kawit Toll Plaza
ImusOpen CanalOpen Canal Road – Imus, General Trias, Lancaster New CityTrumpet interchange
General TriasGovernor's Drive N65 (Governor's Drive) – General Trias, Trece MartiresTrumpet interchange
SilangSilang (Aguinaldo) N410 (Aguinaldo Highway) – Silang, DasmariñasTrumpet interchange
Silang EastTibig–Kaong Road, CTBEX – Nasugbu, Silang, GMADiamond interchange; current western terminus
Santa Rosa–Tagaytay N420 (Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road) – Santa Rosa, TagaytayTrumpet interchange; former western terminus (2019-2021)
LagunaSanta RosaLaguna BoulevardNuvali Boulevard, South Boulevard – Laguna Technopark Gates 1 & 2, Nuvali, InchicanDiamond interchange
BiñanLaguna TechnoparkLaguna Technopark Gate 3Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
Mamplasan Toll Plaza[35]
Greenfield ParkwayEastbound exit only
Mamplasan AH 26 (E2) (SLEX) / Greenfield Parkway / LIIP Avenue – Manila, Biñan, LIIP, CalambaRoundabout; eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Notes
  1. CALAX is signed as Expressway 3 (E3) according to an emergency telephone box along the expressway.
  2. The length of the initial Laguna segment varies per source. According to CALAX, it is 8.9 kilometers (5.5 mi). Meanwhile, news outlets state that it is 10 kilometers (6.2 mi).

References
  1. "Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX)". PPP Center.
  2. Abadilla, Emmie V. (August 24, 2021). "CALAX Silang East Interchange opens". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  3. "CALAX to begin charging toll". MotoPinas.com. February 10, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  4. "Construction of Cavite-Laguna Expressway on schedule". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  5. "Work on Calax seen on track". BusinessMirror. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  6. "Calax project ahead of schedule". Manila Standard. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  7. "CALA Expressway – Laguna side section". Department of Public Works and Highways. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  8. "Road and Bridge Inventory". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  9. "Future Development". Greenfield Development Corporation. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  10. "DPWH Meets Four Prequalified Bidders for ₱35.42-Billion CALAX Project". PPP Center.
  11. "Ayala-Aboitiz joint venture submits highest bid for CALAEX project". GMA News. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  12. "Metro Pacific submits top bid for CALAX project". ABS-CBN News. May 26, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  13. "Cavite-Laguna (CALA) Expressway Project". DPWH PPP Center. Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  14. "Cavite toll road construction to start". The Manila Standard. April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  15. Marasigan, Lorenz S. "Calaex breaks ground for P12-billion Cavite segment". BusinessMirror. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  16. Pino, Gladys (March 28, 2019). "Construction of CALAEX begins". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  17. Rey, Aika (March 27, 2019). "Construction of CALAEX Cavite segment starts". Rappler. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  18. "DPWH breaks ground for CALAX Cavite segment". The Philippine Star. March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  19. "DPWH says Laguna side of Calax finished by December". Manila Standard. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  20. Esmael, Lisbet (March 11, 2021). "Portion of Cavite-Laguna expressway to open in Q3". CNN Philippines. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  21. Rey, Aika (April 30, 2021). "CALAX completion delayed to Q1 2023 due to COVID-19". Rappler. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  22. Piad, Tyrone Jasper C. (April 3, 2023). "Fresh delays push Calax completion to next year". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  23. Tuquero, Loreben (October 22, 2019). "Cavite-Laguna Expressway passable by October 30 – DPWH". Rappler. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  24. Balinbin, Arjay L. (October 22, 2019). "Laguna section of CALAX due to open at end of October". BusinessWorld. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  25. Dela Paz, Chrisee (February 8, 2018). "First phase of Cavite-Laguna Expressway to open in December". Rappler. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  26. "CALAX on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022.
  27. Laurel, Drei (January 23, 2020). "CALAX to be temporarily closed for construction and clearing operations". Top Gear Philippines. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  28. Abadilla, Emmie V. (August 18, 2020). "CALAX Laguna segment interchanges open today". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  29. Unite, Betheena (May 11, 2021). "30-minute drive from SLEX to Silang shapes up with June opening of new CALAX section". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  30. Rey, Aika (August 24, 2021). "CALAX Silang East Interchange now open". Rappler. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  31. Abadilla, Emmie (November 21, 2022). "CALAX Silang-Aguinaldo Interchange opening 1Q 2023". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  32. "CALAX". Toll Regulatory Board. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  33. Aquino, Roselle (February 7, 2020). "Cavite-Laguna Expressway to collect tolls starting Feb. 10". Philippine News Agency.
  34. "LOT FOR SALE – THE RESIDENCES, EVO CITY, KAWIT, CAVITE". Mávida Place. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  35. Rfid only in Nlex,Sctex,Calax Ready. CALAX. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
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