The Department of Public Works and Highways is stepping in to resolve the right-of-way issues to ensure that the opening of the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway becomes feasible by early next year.
"We only have two remaining properties for acquisition, but that's already at the Court for some time. A meeting will be held between DPWH and the local government this week regarding that," DPWH director for Public-Private Partnership Service Alex Bote said in a text message to the Daily Tribune.
"As well, we're preparing a letter to the Office of Court Admin to fasttrack the acquisition process," he added.
The Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange is the fifth of the eight segments of the 45-km CALAX, which is now 64 percent complete. According to the project proponent, the opening of the expressway, although set for December, remains uncertain due to RoW issues.
The undelivered RoW of about 450 meters of land, owned by a private corporation, is a critical portion of the fulfillment of the interchange. The issue prevents construction works to progress — including the construction of drainage and bridge, excavation and roadway earthworks, and installation of fence and coco net.
Bote said once the RoW acquisition is complete, opening the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange of the expressway will be feasible within the first quarter of 2023.
About 40,000 motorists, from the current daily traffic of 33,000, will be served once the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange opens.
CALAX's operational segment spans 14.24 kilometers with interchanges at Greenfield-Mamplasan, Laguna Technopark, Laguna Boulevard, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay, and Silang East.
Other interchanges of the expressway — the Open Canal, Governor's Drive and Kawit — are targeted to be finished by 2023.