SMC unit starts works on Quezon toll road

MANILA, Philippines — Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), through unit South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC), is commencing today the construction of the 66.74-kilometer South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4 (TR4) that is expected to significantly reduce travel time to and from the provinces south of Metro Manila.

SMC president and COO Ramon Ang said the project would further unlock the economic potential and promote tourism in Laguna, Batangas, Quezon and Bicol provinces.

“With the growing population of Metro Manila, more and more people and businesses will move to these provinces due to these areas’ proximity. We will continue to invest in modern toll roads and expressways that are at par with our neighbors in Asia,” Ang said.

The toll road, which stretches from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Barangay Mayao in Quezon province, is seen cutting the usual travel time of three hours to just 45 minutes.

By providing a shorter travel time, SMC said the project is expected to boost economic activity through the faster transport and delivery of goods and services, and reduce vehicle volume along the busy Maharlika Highway, which is one of the main roads leading to the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon and the Bicol region.

The toll road will be divided into six sections, namely: Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Makban in Laguna (11.32 km); Makban to San Pablo City (12.75 km); San Pablo to Tiaong in Quezon (7.5 km), Tiaong to Candelaria (15 km); Candelaria to Tayabas (10.21 km) and Tayabas to Lucena (9.96 km).

Ang said the project is expected to be completed in three years’ time.

“Under the leadership of President Duterte and Secretary Mark Villar, the TR4 project finally gets underway, and I look forward to inaugurating this project in 36 months,” he said.