TPLEX to be completed in September: proj head

By Erwin Beleo

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The third and last section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) will be completed in September this year, according to Romeo Vergara, TPLEX project manager.

              Vergara told reporters recently during the “Kapihan sa Ilocos” of the Philippine Information Agency in Region 1 that the 89.21-kilometer project was divided into three sections wherein sections 1 and 2 have already been completed.

Section 1 is from Tarlac to Rosales, Pangasinan while Section 2 is from Rosales to Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, and Section 3 connects Urdaneta City to Rosario, La Union.

“At present, Section 3 is being done with the overall accomplishment of the project at 92.51 percent. We are hopeful that the project completion is by September,” Vergara said, adding that the project will be finished based on the schedule set by the contractor.

The P34-billion expressway project, implemented by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways, involves design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance by the private sector.

Once completed, the project is expected to reduce the travel time from Tarlac to Rosario by an hour from the current 3.5 hours, with 20,000 vehicles expected daily.

             It will likewise spur regional economic growth in and boost tourism activities in North Luzon