Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. or SMC has sealed its partnership with the local government unit of Pangasinan to build the 76.80-kilometer Pangasinan Link Expressway or PLEX that would seamlessly link Central and Northern Luzon.
The parties signed the toll concession and joint venture agreement on Thursday — signaling the formal start of the undertaking.
“We are grateful to the Pangasinan provincial government for their passion and commitment to boost Pangasinense life through this landmark project. More than just building a major infrastructure project, we have an opportunity to improve the lives of so many of our countrymen here,” SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang said.
Vital link to NMIA
Ang noted that the project will also serve as a vital link for the soon-to-be-launched New Manila International Airport or NMIA in Bulacan.
For Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, the partnership will help spur economic activity in the province and unlock growth in different parts of Pangasinan.
“Through the PLEX, we shall have a very systematic approach in navigating Pangasinan, creating a roadmap never before imagined possible for our province,” said Guico III.
Two phases
The project, which will begin at the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX exit in Binalonan, will consist of two phases.
Phase 1 of PLEX will be split into three segments: the first 6.90-km section from Binalonan to Manaoag, followed by an 11.30-km section from Manaoag to Calasiao, and the third segment, the 22.17-km section from Calasiao to Lingayen. A 2.39-km spur road will also be built in Calasiao.
Meanwhile, Phase 2 of the project will be a demand-driven expansion to Alaminos, Pangasinan.
Once operational, travel time from TPLEX Binalonan to Lingayen, the province’s capital, will be reduced to 30 minutes from 90 minutes.