SOURCE: PNA
In the heart of Laoac, Pangasinan, a new dawn breaks as the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) commences. This monumental event not only signifies the onset of a colossal infrastructure project but also opens the door for significant investment and job opportunities in the province.
The PLEX, as stated by the Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III, will serve as the backbone of the province in terms of ease of travel and accessibility. The construction of this expressway is bound to unlock the immense potential of the province, boosting growth in investment and job creation.
The groundbreaking ceremony comes five months after officials of Pangasinan’s provincial government and San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC) signed the joint venture and tollway concession agreements. The PHP34 billion 42.76-km expressway project phase one is fully funded by SMHC, aiming to connect the province’s eastern and western parts.
Governor Guico highlighted that other significant infrastructure projects, such as the Bolinao airport and upcoming seaport projects, are anchored on the construction of the PLEX. This underpins the strategic importance of the expressway in the grand scheme of the province's development.
San Miguel Corp. president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang, emphasized the transformative economic growth that the road construction would bring. He drew parallels with the impact of the Tarlac-Pangasinan Expressway (TPLEX) on the economy of the towns and cities it passes through.
Ang provided a compelling example of how the construction of the expressway could significantly increase the land value. He mentioned the value of land in Binalonan, Pangasinan, which escalated from about PHP200 per square meter before the construction of the expressway, to about PHP2,500 per square meter a couple of years after TPLEX was completed.
The PLEX is also expected to connect to TPLEX and provide access to the planned New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. This strategic connection will further enhance the province's accessibility and potential for economic growth.
The first phase of PLEX comprises three main sections. These include a 7-km stretch from Binalonan to Manaoag, an 11.3-km stretch from Manaoag to Calasiao, and a 22.1-km stretch from Calasiao to Lingayen. There will also be a 2.4-km spur road in Calasiao town.
The project's phase 2 is anticipated to extend to Alaminos City as demand increases. This ambitious extension further signifies the far-reaching impact and necessity of PLEX in the province's growth.
Once completed within the targeted four- to five-year construction period, the first phase of the expressway is expected to significantly reduce travel time. The journey from the TPLEX exit in Binalonan town to Lingayen is projected to decrease from 90 minutes to just half an hour or less.
This groundbreaking event indeed marks the dawn of a new era for Pangasinan province. The construction of the PLEX not only symbolizes a significant stride in infrastructure development but also the promise of enhanced accessibility, economic growth, and prosperity for the province.
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