Two interchanges of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) will open on Tuesday, August 18, partially completing the Laguna segment of the tollway.

The following interchanges will be opened to the public at 12:01 am on Tuesday:

• Laguna Boulevard Interchange
• Laguna Technopark Interchange

The two interchanges could serve as an alternative route to and from Nuvali via Laguna Boulevard, decongesting Sta Rosa-Tagaytay Road.

In October 2019, the Greenfield (Mamplasan) Exit and Sta Rosa-Tagaytay Road Interchange opened to the public.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said around 10,000 cars are being served by CALAX daily.

“These interchanges are added catalysts for the much needed economic activity at all levels. It will allow the flow of output of goods and services that people utilize, thereby spurring growth in the community and the region,” Villar said on Sunday, August 16.

With the two additional interchanges, the only remaining portion to be completed for the Laguna segment is the Silang East Interchange. MP CALA Holdings Incorporated, the tollway operator, has constructed 66% of the section.

After constructing the Laguna segment, MP CALA will link the Cavite segment to the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) in Kawit. The entire tollway would connect the Cavitex and the South Luzon Expressway at the Mamplasan Interchange. The acquisition of right-of-way for the Cavite segment is currently at 60%.

The Laguna segment is targeted to be completed by April 2021 and the rest of the Cavite segment by the 2nd half of 2022.

Toll rates, RFID plans

The Toll Regulatory Board had approved the following rates, inclusive of value-added tax:

MP CALA president Bobby Bontia said the opened CALAX sections will be using the radio-frequency identification (RFID) system by November for toll payments.

“We have made the Easytrip RFID available through the online store Shopee, and we also have customer service centers one each direction of CALAX, and soon a drive-through installation and loading center,” Bontia said.

Once completed, CALAX would have 9 interchanges and would stretch 45 kilometers from Kawit, Cavite, to Mamplasan, Laguna. It would traverse Kawit, Imus City, Dasmariñas City, General Trias City, and Silang in Cavite, and Sta Rosa City and Biñan City in Laguna. – Rappler.com