Thanks to Phase 1 of the Central Luzon Expressway (CLLEx) you may soon be able to get from Tarlac to Cabanatuan in 20 minutes.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar announced that the CLLEx is nearing completion. The Aquino Administration started the the 4-lane highway in March of 2016. The project cost the government PhP 1.603 Billion.  CLLEx  will link the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) with the  Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx).

CLLEX Phase 1

Photo courtesy of www.dpwh.gov.ph

CCLEx will have a total of 5 interchanges,  2 farm passages and at least 7 bridges spanning a total length of 30.7 kilometers. According to Secretary Villar CLLEx:

  • Is 97% complete
  • Will ease congestion along Daang Maharlika.
  • Will serve as a faster, wider route between Tarlac and Cabanatuan and;
  • Will provide more livelihood opportunities for Region 3.
  • Is designed to accommodate vehicles traveling at 100 km/h  

When completed, the 70 minute drive between Tarlac and Cabanatuan is expected to be reduced to a mere 20 minutes. Thanks to the CCLEx, Cabanatuan City will also have faster access to Metro Manila.

Phase 1 of the CCLEx will connect not just the Cities of Tarlac and Cabanatuan. CCLEx will  connect two other municipalities of Nueva Ecija: Zaragoza & Aliaga,

Phase 2 will head North through the province of Nueva Ecija. CCLEx will continue from the City of Cabanatuan to the City of San Jose, while passing through the Municipalities of Talavera and Llanera. Phase 2 of the CCLEx will span over 35 kilometers. Once completed, Phase 2 of the CCLEx  is expected to ease congestion along the Pan Philippine Highway that links the said cities and the town of Plaridel in Bulacan.

However, as of May 16, 2019, Phase 2 is still in the feasibility study status according to the website of the DPWH.

If you liked this, read about how you can soon drive from Luzon to Boracay (almost), by clicking HERE.