SMC, DOTr sign deal for Lucena-Sorsogon expressway

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is on track to open a key segment of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4 project this year, which will see the expressway extended from Calamba, Laguna to Lucena in Quezon.

But with that said, they are already looking at extending the expressway network even further. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and SMC have signed the Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) for SLEX Toll Road 5.

The signed STOA means SMC commits to undertake all works required for the TR5 project, involving various activities such as the right of way acquisitions (ROWA), financing, and road construction among others.

SLEX TR5 will connect the provinces of Quezon and Bicol via a 420 km-long toll road consisting of 8 segments with 28 interchanges. The TR5 will feature 4 lanes, starting from the terminal point of TR4 in Lucena, Quezon, and ending just before the Matnog Ferry Terminal in Sorsogon.

Segment 1 is 61-km long and begins from Lucena to Gumaca. Segment 2 is a 58.6-km section from Gumaca to Tagkawayan. Segment 3 connects Tagkawayan to Sipocot, which is 61.40-km long. Meanwhile, Segment 4 goes from Sipocot to Naga City, spanning 39.50-km. Segment 5 is the 45.90-km long Naga City to Polangui section, while Segment 6 is the 33.6-km section from Polangui to Legaspi City. Segment 7 is a 57.7-km section that goes from Legaspi City to Sorsogon City. And lastly, the 62.3-km Segment 8 connects Sorsogon City to Matnog.

Once completed, SLEX TR5 negates the need for motorists to pass through provincial highways and towns when going from Metro Manila to the Bicol Region, and thus, allows us to better explore what Southern Luzon has to offer.