CLLEX completion eases travel woes, boosts Amuqueños’ business ventures

The Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX), Phase I which runs from Balingcanaway-Amucao, Tarlac City up to the intersection of Aliaga-Guimba Road in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija is set to be completed in March 2023, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.The 30-kilometer, fourlane expressway is just a nearby point to Amucao National High School as the school is situated along the national road.

It stretches from Tarlac City to Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija which aimed to reduce the travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City from 70 minutes to 20 minutes and is projected to benefit around 11,200 motorists per day.

Sir Randy M. Pamintuan, a faculty member of ANHS and a member of Spiritist Riders under the Spectrum Communication Group, a private group said the opening of CLLEX in the area made travel time easier and more convenient as the number of public vehicles, especially buses increase.

"Dati kasi hanggang 6pm lang ang mga jeep, madalang pati ang mga bus pero ngayon, kahit malalim na ang gabi, maymasasakyan pa rin," Pamintuan added.Moreover, it provided business ventures to the people of Amucao.

Gloria David, one of the parents and store owners, said that it made the simple community more alive and busier again after the SCTEX exit in Amucao closed.

The project will also improve access to several localities in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. Funded under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) amounting to PHP249 billion, CLLEX is one of the three major projects under the Luzon Spine Expressway Network (LSEN) Program which started in 2016.