SMC set to start building TPLEx extension in ’25

DPWH

The construction of the P23.36-billion Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) extension—a project helmed by San Miguel Holdings Corp.—is targeted to start by July next year, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said in a statement on Thursday that San Miguel and the government agency could now proceed with the detailed engineering design and right-of-way acquisition after signing the contract for the 59.4-kilometer tollway project.

The road extension project will start from TPLEx in Rosario, La Union and will terminate at San Juan, La Union. It aims to provide additional routes linking the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

The tollway project is designed to reduce travel time from Rosario to San Juan to 40 minutes from the current one hour and 30 minutes.

DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC) chair and president Ramon S. Ang present the TPLEx extension concession agreement to President Marcos at the DPWH Head Office in Port Area, Manila. (Photo from DPWH)

The TPLEx extension is divided into three segments, with the first one eyed to be finished by 2028.

The first segment covers the route from Rosario to Tubao while the second segment will link Tubao to Naguilian. The last segment connects Naguilian to San Juan.

Earlier this year, the conglomerate led by tycoon Ramon Ang held a ground-breaking ceremony for the 76.8-km Pangasinan Link Expressway.