MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), said they plan to finish Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Silang Interchange by December of 2022.

During its ocular inspection together with stakeholders, which stems from Silang East Interchange to Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite, MHI president Raul Ignacio said thousands of motorists stand to benefit once this interchange of CALAX becomes operational, which will also just in time for the holidays as well.

'Once this part of the expressway becomes officially open, it will ease traffic congestion in the 41-km Aguinaldo Highway—the busiest main thoroughfare in Cavite,' Ignacio said.

Currently, the average daily traffic plying CALAX is 33,000 from Mamplasan to Silang East interchange. This is expected to increase to 40,000 once the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange is opened.

However, the December 2022 opening is again in question due to right of way problems.

'The target date of opening of the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange has been moved several times, with the latest target completion, being December of 2022 again uncertain,' Ignacio remarked.

These issues prevent the progress of continuous works, including the construction of drainages and bridges, excavation and roadway earthworks, and installation of fences and coco nets.

Currently, the CALAX construction progress is now at 64 percent complete in Cavite, and 99 percent complete in Laguna.

'Despite the right of way delays, we are still pursuing to complete the road in time for the Christmas rush to Tagaytay,' Ignacio shared.

According to MHI, the CALAX Project should have been completed July 2020, but has been currently delayed to around 2.5 years (counting to present 2022) because of several factors and difficulty in right of way approvals.

In addition, right of way approvals should have been completed in 2017, but also got delayed by five years (counting also to present 2022).