Pangasinan Expressway: SMC, local gov't sign JV for project PLEX

We can look forward to more convenient and faster travel times going to the Hundred Islands and other tourist spots in Pangasinan.

SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang and Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III have signed the joint venture agreement and toll concession agreement for the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), a 76.8-kilometer expressway that will link the western side of Pangasinan to its eastern side.

The project, which will begin at the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) exit in Binalonan, is part of SMC's larger plan to strengthen the road networks in Central and Northern Luzon. PLEX will consist of two phases: Phase 1 will extend 42.76 kilometers from TPLEX to Lingayen, while Phase 2 will extend all the way to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Phase 1 of PLEX will be split into three segments: the first 6.90-km section from Binalonan to Manaoag, followed by an 11.30-km section from Manaoag to Calasiao, and the third segment, the 22.17-km section from Calasiao to Lingayen. A 2.39-km spur road will also be built in Calasiao. Meanwhile, Phase 2 of the project will be a demand-driven expansion all the way to Alaminos.

SMC will shoulder the construction costs, with zero expense for national or provincial governments. Furthermore, the LGU is poised to receive a substantial share of the project's earnings.

“With PLEX connecting to other infrastructure such as TPLEX, which will support access to the New Manila International Airport (NMIA), this project will significantly benefit Pangasinan’s local industries, home-grown products, and agricultural sector. At the same time, the rich history, culture, and cuisine of the province will be even more accessible to more Filipinos,” said SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

Once operational, travel time from TPLEX Binalonan to Lingayen, the province's capital, will be drastically reduced to 30 minutes from 90 minutes.

“PLEX is one of the most important projects, a game-changer for Pangasinan and for this administration. This is because it is envisioned to reinvent the transportation and enrich the tourism landscape; prioritize accessibility of citizens to major towns and cities, magnify business and livelihood opportunities, multiply economic activity, build more infrastructure, and protect the environment,” said Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III.