Conglomerate San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) offer to extend the 88.85-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) to San Juan, La Union could be given final approval to proceed in early 2020.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar told reporters that he expected the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) to soon complete its review.
“Most likely, first quarter next year,” Villar said.
Based on the website of the Department of Public Works and Highways, the TPLEx extension— a 59.4-kilometer project— was set for review by the Neda Investment Coordination Committee.
After this, the project will need to win the approval of the Neda board, which is chaired by President Duterte.
The TPLEx extension has an estimated project cost of close to P24 billion. It will start from the final exit of the TPLEx in Rosario and will be built in three phases.
The project was submitted by SMC subsidiary San Miguel Holdings Corp. on Feb. 14, 2018.
In December last year, Villar said SMC was given an original proponent status (OPS). The project was then endorsed to the Neda-ICC on Aug. 5 this year. –INQ