In an aim to bring Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) closer to full completion by 2019, said San Miguel Corp.-backed expressway finally opened a new section in Pangasinan.

This is in line with the issuance of a toll operation permit by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to TPLEx operator – Philippine Infrastructure Development Corp., which is managed by SMC, for the section from Binalonan to Pozorrubio, Pangasinan.

This is a part of the 10-kilometer stretch that is claimed to be the second to the last phase of the huge TPLEx project, which is expected to be completed by June, 2019.

Overall, TPLEx would extent over 89 kilometers once it has been completed. It would reduce travel time between the province of Tarlac and Rosario, La Union from three and a half (3 1/2) hours long to just an hour, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It is expected to benefit an approximately 20,000 vehicles per day.

The new section’s toll operation permit was issued by the TRB on November 29. This is also in line with the joint inspection between the TRB and DPWH, which confirmed that the new section of TPLEx was considerably complete and is safe to be in full swing.

TPLEx is part of SMC’s developing tollroad footprint in the country.

Just earlier of this year, said agency announced an agreement with state-governed Philippine National Construction Corp. to jointly expand several similar projects, appreciated at a combined P554 billion.

Said projects include the expansion of its tollroads like the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), Metro Manila Skyway, NAIA Expressway and Star Tollway.

Also, included in the line were the San Pedro – C6 Laguna Lake Road and Tanauan – Tagaytay Expressway or Sky 8, as well as the extension of SLEx to Matnog, Sorsogon, Sky 7 between Taguig and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, the Buendia Interchange and ramp extension to Macapagal Boulevard and the Sky 9 called the “Pasig River alignment”.

SMC recently proposed to extend the NAIA Expressway to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. In fact, the fully detailed engineering plans for the expansion of the 7.7 km-stretch project bounded to BGC had been submitted to the government according to SMC. Also, it added that the project is expected to ease traffic congestion in Magallanes and Edsa-Pasay area. Moreover, it would reduce travel time between Coastal Road to SM Mall of Asia and BGC to 10 minutes only.