Silang to resolve ROW

By  J.Lo

“The delay in completion of the Calax subsection has hampered  development of inner roads of the municipality as well,” Silang, Cavite Mayor Kevin Anarna said… “only by its completion can we start  construction of these roads so that we will be accessible to local tourists and investors who want to invest in Silang.”

The local government unit (LGU) of Silang is willing to help address the right-of-way (ROW) issues of  Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) of MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI) in order to speed up  completion of the project. Anarna urged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and private landowners to come up with  compromise on the issue. “We are very willing to help MPCALA and the national government to fast track  opening of  Calax Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange,” Anarna stated “right now, we are planning to set up  meeting with  owner of  land to discuss  right-of-way issues…maybe, we can get  compromise agreement before end of the year.”

To date, 64 percent of Calax Silang Interchange subsection has been completed.

MHI said  target date of its opening has been moved several times, with latest being December of this year 2022 still uncertain.

One critical portion for completion of  interchange is  undelivered ROW of about 450 meters of land.

The ROW issues prevent  progress of continuous works, including construction of drainage and bridge, excavation and roadway earthworks, and installation of fences and coco nets.

The fifth of the eight segments of  45-kilometer expressway spans at 3.9 kilometers with  two-by-two lane expressway from Silang East Interchange to Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite. Upon completion, this will serve more motorists, including  298,000 local residents, and will reduce traffic all throughout the city.

According to the LGU,  current average daily traffic is 33,000 from Mamplasan to the Silang Ease interchange. This is expected to increase to 40,000 when  Silang Interchange finally opens, which will then ease traffic flow along  41-kilometer Aguinaldo Highway, Governor’s Drive and  Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road.

With construction works now underway, the mayor admitted that traffic in their area is heavy, especially during weekends.

“We are hopeful for Silang Interchange’s rapid completion, as it will ease traffic, which, in turn, will encourage more people not only to pass by our municipality but also by neighboring towns and cities,” Arnana said.