MPTC plans new expressway in Cavite 

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. proposed to build a P40-billion expressway that would bridge the gap between Cavite Laguna Expressway (Calax) and the forthcoming Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) project, according to a report by Manila Standard.

“We’re in discussion with the provincial government of Cavite on a possible Naic connection to Calax in General Trias,” CIC president and general manager Raul Ignacio said.

“The proposal is actually hinged on the completion of the Bataan-Cavite Bridge. But we were informed that the project would push through, so we need to execute the project,” he said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways earlier said the Cavite alignment of the BCIB starts from the shoreline of Barangay Timalan Balsahan in Naic, then traverses through the agricultural and residential area and terminates at Antero Soriano Highway a relative flat terrain in Barangay Timalan Balsahan and Barangay Timalan Concepcion.

The government secured $1.14 billion from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to finance the construction of the BCIB across Manila Bay.

Spanning 32.15 kilometers, the project was designed to provide strategic convergence points between Central Luzon and Calabarzon, fostering greater economic growth and improved tourism.

The project is expected to reduce travel time from Mariveles, Bataan to Naic, Cavite from five hours to 1.5 hours and promote greater ease in doing business by unlocking the potential of Bataan and Cavite in facilitating trade and serving as viable tourist destinations.

MPTC earlier said it would spend P6.3 billion to construct the Cavitex-Calax Link and the Cavitex C5 Link Segment 3B projects.

The P4.1 Cavitex-Calax Link will span 1.3 km. with 2×2 lanes, linking MPTC’s toll road networks in the south — the Cavitex and the ongoing Cavite-Laguna Expressway.

The P2.2-billion Cavitex C5 Link Segment 3B spans 2 km. that will connect Cavitex Paranaque in the west and C5 Road Taguig in the east.