MANILA - San Miguel Corp has formally opened the final section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX, the company said on Wednesday.
San Miguel and the Department of Public Works and Highways opened the last 11-kilometer segment of the 89.21-kilometer TPLEX, which is expected to reduce travel time from Tarlac to Rosario, La Union to just one hour from 3.5 hours.
“By not scaling back on investments in infrastructure, we will be able to create more jobs, keep the flow of goods and services moving, and pave the way for more local tourism for the long-term,” said San Miguel president Ramon Ang.
SMC Infrastructure built the TPLEX, which it also operates.
Following the opening of its last segment, the TPLEX now has ten interchanges and 11 toll plazas: Tarlac City, Victoria, Pura, Ramos, Anao, in Tarlac; Carmen, Urdaneta, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, Sison in Pangasinan, and Rosario, La Union.
San Miguel said the exit to Sison, Pangasinan is currently being completed.
“This engineering marvel showcases the capability and talent of Filipinos, and demonstrates how we can all work together to achieve something great for the common good,” said Public Works Secretary Mark Villar who graced the opening of the project.
San Miguel also received original proponent status for its proposal to extend the TPLEX from Rosario, La Union to the surfing town of San Juan, La Union. The proposed extension will cover 59 kilometers.
It is also completing a new unit of Masinloc Power Plant, Skyway 3, Skyway Extension, Skyway 4, and MRT-7. But it’s biggest infrastructure project yet is the P735-billion Manila International Airport (MIA) project in Bulakan, Bulacan.
San Miguel opens TPLEX, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Ramon Ang, Mark Villar,