GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite — The Philippine government unveiled plans for a new Governor’s Drive Interchange on the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Friday, showing the project’s aim to ease traffic congestion and bolster economic growth in the rapidly developing Calabarzon region.

The interchange, located in General Trias City, Cavite, will accommodate an additional 8,000 vehicles daily, supplementing the expressway’s current capacity of 45,000 vehicle entries per day, according to an information board displayed at the project site.

“We will ensure the Cavite-Laguna Expressway is completed on time for every Filipino who wants to return home to their family and for every worker hoping to have time for rest,” Marcos said in a social media post, written in Filipino.

The project, managed by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), aims to reduce travel time between CAVITEX and SLEX by approximately 45 minutes.

Officials said the new interchange would alleviate traffic congestion on Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, and Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road.

Regional planners expect the improved transportation infrastructure to enhance the competitiveness of CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) as an investment destination.

The expressway serves key economic zones, business parks, and real estate developments throughout the area.

CALAX is part of Marcos’ “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) campaign, which focuses on infrastructure development to improve quality of life and economic opportunities for Filipinos.

When fully operational, the 45-kilometer expressway will connect Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) in Kawit, Cavite to South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna, serving as a crucial corridor in one of the country’s fastest-growing industrial and residential regions.