Calax delayed by right-of-way problem

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) unit MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI) secured the backing of the Silang, Cavite local government in settling a right-of-way issue in its Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) project, which has encountered delays in construction.

In a statement, Silang Mayor Kevin Anarna urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and private landowners to settle the property access concern stalling the construction of the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange subsection of the Calax.

“Right now, we are planning to set up a meeting with the owner of the land to discuss the right-of-way issues. Maybe, we can get a compromise agreement before the end of the year,” Anarna said.

He was referring to 450 square meters of land owned by a private corporation.

The Calax Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange is 64-percent complete to date. It was planned for opening by December amid the expected surge of motorists due to the holiday season.

Currently, the construction of drainage and bridge, excavation and roadway earthworks, among others, have been halted.

Anarna said  the delay in progress of Calax also stalled the development of inner roads of the municipality.

“Once the Calax Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange is completed, we can now start the construction of inner roads so that we will be accessible to local tourists and investors who want to invest in Silang,” Anarna said.

MPTC chief finance officer Christopher Lizo recently said that the 44.57-kilometer toll road had incurred additional 15 percent in expenses due to delays in civil works and an increase in construction material prices.

Lizo previously said that the average daily vehicular volume in Calax was about 31,000, translating to P1.2 million in toll revenues per day. These figures are expected to rise with the opening of more interchanges and during the holiday rush.

Calax, a public-private partnership between DPWH and MHI, is a toll road linking the Manila-Cavite Expressway and South Luzon Expressway.

Meanwhile, MPTC subsidiary Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. announced the updated and higher toll fees for Cavitex C5 Link effective Nov. 27.

Toll rates increased to P35 for Class 1 (from P22); P69 for Class 2 (from P44); and P104 for Class 3 (from P66).