Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway

Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway
NLEx Extension Phase 1
North Luzon West Expressway (NLWE) Phase 1

Map of expressways in Luzon, with the Subic‑Clark‑Tarlac Expressway in red
Route information
Length: 93.8 km (58.3 mi)
Component
highways:
Major junctions
North end: Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (in Brgy. Amucao, Tarlac City, Tarlac)
South end: Subic–Tipo Expressway (in Brgy. Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan)
Location
Major cities:
Towns:
Highway system
Highways in the Philippines
Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway near Floridablanca in Pampanga

The Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) is a 93.77-kilometre (58.27 mi) four-lane expressway north of Manila, in the Philippines built by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), a government owned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Started on April 5, 2005, the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) is the country’s longest expressway at 93.77 kilometres (58.27 miles). Commercial operations started on April 28, 2008, with the opening of the Subic-Clark Segment and Zone A of the portion of Clark-Tarlac Segment. The opening of Zones B and C of the remaining Clark-Tarlac Segment on July 25, 2008 signaled the full operations of the SCTEX.[1]

The SCTEX seeks to transform the Central Luzon region into a world-class logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region through the integration of economic activities in the Subic Bay Freeport, the Clark Freeport Zone, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac and by linking major infrastructures such as the Seaport in Subic and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark.

The southern terminus of the SCTEX is at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales, it passes through the Clark Freeport Zone in two interchanges: Clark North and Clark South. The expressway is linked to the North Luzon Expressway through the Mabalacat Interchange, and its northern terminus is at Brgy. Amucao in Tarlac City, Tarlac.

The expressway crosses the 4 rivers in Central Luzon region. The rivers along SCTEx are Dinalupihan River in Bataan, Gumain River in Floridablanca, Pasig-Potrero River in Porac (both located within the province of Pampanga) and Sacobia River in Concepcion, Tarlac.

Project description

The 93.77-kilometre (58.27 mi), four-lane expressway is divided into two major segments:

  1. Subic-Clark Segment – 50.5 kilometres (31.4 miles) (Contractor: Kajima-Obayashi-JFE Engineering-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc. Joint Venture) and
  2. Clark-Tarlac segment – 43.27 kilometres (26.89 miles) (Contractor: Hazama-Taisei-Nippon Steel Joint Venture).

The consultants were Oriental Consultant-Katahira & Engineering International-Nippon Koei Co., LTD Joint Venture

Major components

A portion of SCTEX in Bataan

Following are the components of the SCTEX:

Operations and maintenance

The SCTEX business and operating agreement between the BCDA and the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC), and its holdings companies Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), was signed July 25, 2011. Under the business and operating agreement, MNTC will operate and manage SCTEX for 33 years, while relieving BCDA of the heavy financial burden of paying the ₱34-billion debt to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). By virtue of the Agreement, the SCTEX can be considered as having been built at no cost to Government.

Funding

Total cost of the SCTEX is ₱34.907 billion. Seventy-eight percent of the cost were funded by way of a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-with an interest rate of 0.95% per annum; 22 percent represents the BCDA counterpart.

History

Construction

The Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway or SCTEx Project was initiated under the administration of former President Joseph Estrada with an original project cost of ₱15.73 billion.[2] Construction was started in 2005 under the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is the longest tollway in the Philippines that connects Subic, Clark and Tarlac. It was completed with a project cost of ₱34.957 billion.[3]

Soft opening

On March 18, 2008 at exactly 1 PM, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened the Subic - Clark segment of the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway for the Holy Week Dry Run. This helped the motorists celebrating Holy Week in Zambales and Bataan. The Dry Run was free and for Class 1 Vehicles Only. The Holy Week Dry Run was from March 18: 1 PM to 5:30 PM and March 19 to 24: 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM because the expressway had no lights yet.

Subic - Clark Segment opening

On April 28, 2008 at exactly 12 noon, BCDA Announced the Subic - Clark Segment of Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway was now open to all vehicles. BCDA said that travel time from Manila to Subic via North Luzon Expressway would now only take 1 Hour and 40 Minutes while the travel time from Clark to Subic would only take 40 minutes. Exit to Dolores (formerly Clark North A Exit) continues to MacArthur road.

Clark - Tarlac Segment opening

On July 25, 2008 12:01 am, the BCDA announced the opening of the Clark-Tarlac Segment of the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway. Travel time from Clark to Tarlac was reduced to only 25 Minutes and to travel the entire length of the SCTEx would only take 1 Hour and 5mins. or 65 Minutes. At the same time, the travel time from Manila to Tarlac via NLEx and the SCTEx would only take 1 Hour and 25 Minutes.

The Tipo Exit Toll Plaza in Hermosa, Bataan.

The expressway is part of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority's Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway Project or SCTEP, which aims to connect the ecozones of Subic and Clark. The joint-venture of First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation (FPIDC), Tollways Management Corporation and Egis Projects, the same concessionaires of the North Luzon Expressway, will handle all the operations and maintenance of the expressway. First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation is a subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings, a holding company under the Lopez Group of Companies with core investments in power and tollways, and strategic initiatives in property and manufacturing. FPIDC eventually sold to Metro Pacific Investments Corporation in 2008. The four-lane divided highway is divided into two major sections. The first section, the Subic-Clark section is 50.5 kilometres (31.4 mi) long; the Clark-Tarlac section measures 43.27 kilometres (26.89 mi) long. Undertaking the construction for the first section are the Kajima-Obayashi-JFE Engineering-Mitsubishi (KOJM) Joint Venture and the second section under Hazama-Taisei-Nippon Steel (HTN) Joint Venture.

The total cost for the construction of the expressway is ₱34.957 billion. It was sourced through a loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) amounting to ¥41.93 billion or ₱23.06 billion-with an interest rate of 0.95% per annum.[4][5][6][7]

₱25.737 billion of the total project cost represents direct costs such as expenses incurred for the construction of the SCTEX. The indirect costs of ₱7.146 billion include land acquisition, consultancy services, project management expenses and taxes and duties. Financing costs of ₱2.074 billion include the Department of Finance guarantee fee and JBIC loan interest during the construction period. Toll Fees are approved by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB)[8]

On March 2016, the integration of the North Luzon Expressway and the SCTEX was competed, in time for the Holy Week exodus. Among the integration plans which costed 650 million pesos are the reduction of toll collection stops, construction of additional toll plazas and the conversion of the electronic toll collection of the two expressways into a single system.[9]

Technical specifications

Toll

Class Toll
Class 1
(Cars, Motorcycles, SUVs, Jeepneys)		 ₱2.67/km
Class 2
(Buses, Light Trucks)		 ₱5.35/km
Class 3
(Heavy Trucks)		 ₱8.03/km

Current Exits

Exits are numbered by kilometer post, with Rizal Park in Manila designated as Kilometer 0. Exits start at 91 because the NLEX is connected with SCTEX. Thus, the last exit of NLEX will be succeeded by an exit in SCTEX.

Km no. North bound Km no. South bound Exit Interchange type Location Remarks
91 91 Tipo Exit Y shape (end of expressway) Barangay Tipo,
Hermosa, Bataan		 This is the southern terminus of SCTEx. Exits to Subic-Tipo Expressway (NLEx Segment 7). Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Morong in Bataan can also be reached through this exit via Argonaut Road. Bypassing this exit goes to Olongapo city proper via Barangay Bangkal, Subic and the rest of Zambales province.
107 107 Dinalupihan Exit Trumpet Barangay Luacan,
Dinalupihan, Bataan		 Connects SCTEx and Roman Super Highway via spur road that exits in Palihan, Hermosa. Most vehicles from Bataan province bound for either Metro Manila or Clark Freeport Zone take this exit for a faster traveling time, rather than taking the Olongapo–Gapan Road. It also leads you to Bataan province.
125 125 Floridablanca Exit Trumpet Barangay San Ramon,
Floridablanca, Pampanga		 This exit connects to Floridablanca Town Proper and Basa Air Base. Lubao, Guagua, Sta. Rita, Bacolor and San Fernando can be reached through this exit from the expressway. Exit opened January 15, 2010.
139 139 Porac Exit Trumpet Barangay Dolores,
Porac, Pampanga		 This exit goes to Porac Town Proper as well as Angeles through either Fil-American Friendship Highway Extension or Angeles-Porac-Dinalupihan Road. This also serves as an alternate exit for vehicles bound for Floridablanca or Dinalupihan. Exit opened on November 25, 2009. On August 2013, the Porac Bridge between Porac Exit collapsed due to heavy rains and was impassable for all vehicles.
149 149 Lakandula (Clark South) Interchange Partial Cloverleaf Barangay Lakandula,
Mabalacat		 Exits directly to the Clark Special Economic Zone via Clark International Airport gateway and Manuel Roxas Avenue. Incoming vehicles from SCTEx bound for Angeles city proper, Balibago, Dau and Mabalacat can also take this exit by turning left at the junction of the gateway and M.A. Roxas Avenue. Going right on the junction leads to inner Clark Freeport Zone, UP Pampanga, Clark Expo Filipino, Clark International Airport terminal and Clark North Interchange through Gil Puyat Ave. Opened at a ceremony by president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on April 5, 2009, on her 62nd birthday.
150 150 Mabalacat Interchange Trumpet Barangay Lakandula,
Mabalacat		 Formerly called Clark Logistics Exit. This exit connects with the Clark Spur Road, McArthur Highway and another way to clark freeport zone the only connection to the North Luzon Expressway. Being the most frequently used exit in the expressway, this exit are taken by vehicles from Subic and Northern luzon bound for Manila or vice versa for shorter traveling time.
157 157 San Joaquin (Clark North) Interchange Directional T Barangay San Joaquin,
Mabalacat		 Formerly called Clark North B Exit. Goes to the Expo Filipino area and to the future main passenger terminal of the Clark International Airport through the Panday Pira Access Road. Also leads to the Clark Picnic Grounds via Gil Puyat Avenue and other establishments within the freeport area.
173 none Mamatitang (Dolores) Exit Half Y Barangay Mamatitang,
Mabalacat		 Formerly called Clark North A Exit. Connects with Mabalacat city proper and MacArthur Highway. Vehicles bound for Bamban, Capas as well as Tarlac City can take this exit. Vehicles coming from the north cannot take this exit and vehicles coming from this exit cannot take northbound lane.
194 194 Concepcion Exit Trumpet Barangay Santiago,
Concepcion, Tarlac		 This exit connects with the Concepcion–Magalang Road. North Luzon Expressway is accessible through the road in Barangay Santa Ines, the former northern terminus goes to Concepcion, Arayat, Magalang and Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija.
? PTT Service Area Tarlac
? Seaoil Service Area Tarlac
218 none Hacienda Luisita Exit Half trumpet (Future: Folded Diamond Interchange) Barangay Dumarais,
La Paz, Tarlac		 Formerly San Miguel Exit. This exit leads to the Hacienda Luisita Industrial Park. In the future, it might be a folded diamond interchange once TPLEx is complete.
227 227 Tarlac Toll Plaza Barangay Amucao,
Tarlac City		 This replaced the Mabalacat Toll Plaza in Brgy, Mabiga Mabalacat, Pampanga. This Toll Plaza was opened on 18 March 2016
228 228 TPLEX Exit Y-shape Barangay Amucao,
Tarlac City		 This exit will connect Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway. The TPLEX is the Phase 2 of the North Luzon West Expressway. On its Soft Opening, northbound travellers have allowed to enter TPLEX but for now it is under construction. This exit would take you to the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Baguio and other provinces on the North Luzon region (but for now it temporarily ends in Binalonan, Pangasinan). This interchange was opened on 31 October 2013.
228 none Tarlac Exit Half Y

(End Of Expressway)

 Barangay Amucao,
Tarlac City		 This exit connects with the Tarlac-Santa Rosa Road. Turning left goes to Tarlac City proper and the MacArthur Highway going to Baguio, Abra, Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Provinces while turning right goes to La Paz town proper and the province of Nueva Ecija and Cagayan Valley Region. Motorists bound for Baguio, Abra, Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Provinces can proceed further via MacArthur Highway and Gerona municipality. This later extend to Pangasinan and La Union when the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway is operational.
228 none Tarlac Exit Roundabout

(End of Expressway)

 This Exit is Former Roundabout Exit When TPLEX is Start Construction.

Exits on the spur road

Exit Interchange Type Location Remarks
Spur/NLEx Exit Half Trumpet North Luzon Expressway, Brgy. Sapang Balen,
Mabalacat, Pampanga		 Connects the North Luzon Expressway
Mabalacat Exit Brgy. Mabiga, Mabalacat Connects to the Mac Arthur Highway

Future Exits

Exit Interchange Type Location Remarks
North Luzon Expressway Exit Mabalacat, Pampanga Connects to NLEX from SCTEX (near Dolores) to Sta. Ines

Plans

Renaming of the Subic-Tipo Expressway, SCTEX, and TPLEx to North Luzon West Expressway

After the two tollways namely the SCTEX and TPLEx have been all operational, plans to rename these three tollways together with the Subic-Tipo Expressway as the North Luzon West Expressway was already approved mainly because it traverses northwards via the western side of the North Luzon region and to make it easier to distinguish together with its counterpart the North Luzon East Expressway which traverses northwards via the eastern side of the North Luzon region. This project is under the "Public Private Partnership Program" of President Benigno Aquino III.

Extension to La Union

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo plans to extend the SCTEX to Rosario, La Union from Tarlac City via the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway which is the Phase 2 extension of the North Luzon Expressway and the Phase 2 of the North Luzon West Expressway. The Clark-Tarlac segment of SCTEX is classed as the extension of Phase 1 of the North Luzon Expressway and also the Phase 1 of the North Luzon West Expressway. Construction began in January 2009 and to be completed sometime in 2016.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway.

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ "Mar markets Noynoy." Daily Tribune. 15 November 2010. http://www.classicposters.com/commentary/20091115com1.html
  3. ↑ "Mar markets Noynoy." Daily Tribune. 15 November 2010. http://www.classicposters.com/commentary/20091115com1.html
  4. ↑ SCTEx delay worsens as Japan firm seeks new extension - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
  5. ↑ BCDA, Japanese contractor asked to explain SCTEx delay - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
  6. ↑ Arroyo adviser says SCTEx extension OKd - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
  7. ↑ Arroyo order: Open SCTEx, interchanges on time - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
  8. ↑ It’s P27.2 billion for SCTEX, in total
  9. ↑ Lazaro, Ramon Efren (March 19, 2016). "NLEX, SCTEX integrated, eases northbound travel". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
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