CAVITEX–C-5 Link, formerly the C-5 Southlink Expressway and signed as E2 of the Philippine expressway network,[3][4] is a 7.708-kilometer (4.790-mile) controlled-access toll expressway in Metro Manila, connecting the Manila–Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) to Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) in Taguig. The project is being built at the cost of 15 billion,[6] and is a joint project of the Philippine Reclamation Authority, Toll Regulatory Board, and Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. Currently operational between Taguig up to E. Rodriguez Avenue (Segment 3A) and the segment between Parañaque Interchange up to CAVITEX Interchange (Segment 2) in Parañaque only, the remaining segment between E. Rodriguez Avenue up to Parañaque Interchange (Segment 3B) is currently under construction.

E2 shield
CAVITEX–C-5 Link
C-5 Southlink Expressway
C-5 Southlink 3A-2 (002) 2024-06-22.jpg
The expressway in Pasay, near Merville, Parañaque
Route information
Maintained by PEA Tollway Corporation[1] and Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation
Length7.708 km[2] (4.790 mi)
5.7 km (3.5 mi) currently operational as of November 2024
Existed2019–present
Component
highways
E2[3][4]
RestrictionsNo motorcycles below 400cc[5]
Major junctions
East end N11 (C.P. Garcia Avenue) in Taguig
West end E3 (Manila–Cavite Expressway) in Parañaque
Location
CountryPhilippines
RegionsMetro Manila
Major citiesParañaque, Pasay, and Taguig
Highway system
  • Roads in the Philippines

Route description

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Aerial view of CAVITEX–C-5 Link in Pasay and Taguig

CAVITEX C-5 Link starts at Carlos P. Garcia Avenue (C-5) in Taguig near its interchange with the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). It then ascends as the existing flyover that crosses Skyway, the PNR Metro Commuter Line, SLEX and the at-grade expressway's service roads before descending along C-5 Extension, which serves as its frontage roads, in Pasay. It then continues its course south of Ninoy Aquino International Airport until it meets its current terminus at C-5 Road Extension in Parañaque, near Moonwalk and a Shell station. Unlike most expressways in the Philippine expressway network, the maximum speed on its existing section is 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph).[7]

The expressway's section towards Manila–Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) is currently under construction. It will continue its course south of the airport. It will then pass by the Global Airport Business Park and Amvel City, where an interchange towards Dr. Santos Avenue and a future toll plaza are located. A flyover crosses Dr. Santos, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, and Diego Cera Avenue. It ends at a trumpet interchange with CAVITEX near the latter's Parañaque toll plaza.

History

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In 1993, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a study on the proposed urban expressway system in Metro Manila. The master plan included the proposed Central Circumferential Expressway that would follow the old Circumferential Road 5 alignment from Navotas to Parañaque with the total length of about 45.8 kilometers (28.5 mi).[8]

On December 27, 1994, a Joint Venture Agreement by and between the Public Estates Authority (now called Philippine Reclamation Authority) and the Malaysian group of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and Renong Berhad (Renong) was signed to develop the Manila–Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP). The project includes the original south extension of Circumferential Road 5, referred to as Segments 2 and 3.[9] It was later approved by the Senate and C-5's south extension have been made as a toll expressway. However, in 2010, the project was scrapped in favor of the toll-free C-5 Road Extension that was controversial for traversing several of then-Senator Manny Villar's properties in Parañaque and Las Piñas.[10][11] The toll expressway project was later revived as the C-5 Southlink Expressway project.

 
CAVITEX C-5 Link Segments 3A-2 and 2 under construction in San Dionisio, Parañaque (April 2023)

The construction of the expressway started on May 8, 2016.[12][13] The expressway is being built in two phases, with the first phase that fills the gap between the C-5 main route and the C-5 Extension near Merville, Parañaque by constructing a 2.2-kilometer (1.4 mi) flyover over South Luzon Expressway and Skyway, and the second phase involving construction of the Merville–R-1 segments.

Phase 1 or Section 3A-1 (C-5 to Merville) was opened to traffic on July 23, 2019.[14][15] The 1.6-kilometer (0.99 mi) Segment 3A-2 (Merville to E. Rodriguez) then opened on August 14, 2022,[16][17] with the Merville Exit opening later on October 25.[18]

On June 23, 2024, the expressway's 1.9-kilometer (1.2 mi) Segment 2, which runs from CAVITEX to Parañaque (Sucat) interchanges, was opened to traffic. The latter interchange is, however, independent from the existing 3.8-kilometer (2.4 mi) section from C-5 to Barangay Santo Niño in Parañaque. Toll collection on Segment 2 began on September 23, 2024.[19] The 2-kilometer (1.2 mi) Segment 3B will complete the missing link connect the sections between the Parañaque and Merville exits. It broke ground two days earlier,[20] with completion slated for March 2025.[21]

Toll

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The expressway currently uses a barrier toll system wherein motorists pay a fixed toll rate upon exit, westbound entry at Sucat Interchange, or at the future Sucat toll plaza for eastbound motorists. Integrated with the toll system of CAVITEX, the electronic toll collection (ETC) system on the expressway is operated by Easytrip Services Corporation and collections are done on both dedicated lanes and mixed lanes at the toll barriers.[20][19]

Tolls are assessed in each direction at each barrier, based on class. In accordance with the law, all toll rates include a 12% value-added tax.

Class Toll[22][19]
Taguig–Merville Sucat–CAVITEX
(Segment 2)
Class 1
(Cars, motorcycles, SUVs, Jeepneys)
35.00 ₱36.00
Class 2
(Buses, light trucks)
₱69.00 ₱72.00
Class 3
(Heavy trucks)
₱104.00 ₱108.00

Exits

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This entire route is located in Metro Manila. Exits will be numbered by kilometer posts, with Rizal Park in Manila designated as kilometer zero

ProvinceCity/MunicipalitykmmiExitNameDestinationsNotes
TaguigTaguig  N11 (C.P. Garcia Avenue) – Taguig, Pasig, PaterosEastbound exit and westbound entrance; eastern terminus
Taguig Toll Plaza (eastbound only)
PasaySLEX  AH 26 (E2) (SLEX) – ManilaProposed eastbound exit and westbound entrance[2][23]
Merville Toll Plaza (westbound only)
C-5 Road ExtensionFormer western terminus (2019–2022)
MoonwalkC-5 Road ExtensionWestbound exit and closed eastbound entrance[6][18]
ParañaqueC-5 Road ExtensionWestbound exit and eastbound entrance; former western terminus (2022–2024)
Parañaque (Sucat)   N195 (Ninoy Aquino Avenue) / C-5 Extension – NAIA Terminals 1 and 2, SucatPartial cloverleaf or folded diamond interchange[2][6][18]
Sucat Toll Plaza[24]
R-1 (CAVITEX)  E3 (CAVITEX) – Bacoor, Las Piñas, Kawit, Manila, PasayWestern terminus; trumpet interchange[2][6]
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

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  1. ^ "MCTE". Toll Regulatory Board. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Road and Bridge Inventory". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "NCR". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  4. ^ Rosales, Brando (July 23, 2019). "C5 Southlink opens to the public tonight at 8:00PM". Motopinas.com. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "New Segments of Cavitex-C5 Link Underway". Motoring Today. February 23, 2021.
  6. ^ Laurel, Drei (February 23, 2021). "Look: There's now a 60kph speed limit along the C5 Link Flyover". TopGear Philippines.
  7. ^ Katahira & Engineers International (October 29, 1993). "Metro Manila Urban Expressway System Study" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  8. ^ "About Us". CAVITEX. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Legaspi, Amita (January 25, 2012). "Villar intervened in C-5 project for his own benefit". GMA News. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  10. ^ "Monsod: C-5 road extension unnecessary, wasteful". ABS-CBN News. February 1, 2021.
  11. ^ "Groundbreaking Ceremony of the CAVITEX C5 South Link Project". Radio Television Malacañang. Bgy. San Dionisio, Parañaque City. May 6, 2016.
  12. ^ "Section of CAVITEX- C5 Southlink opens". ABS-CBN News. July 23, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "Taguig-Parañaque section of C5 South Link Expressway opens to motorists July 23". GMA News. July 23, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  14. ^ Cordero, Ted (July 7, 2022). "CAVITEX C5 Link Flyover extension to open on July 16, 2022". GMA News. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  15. ^ "Cavitex C5 link flyover extension now operational, new toll rates effective September". CNN Philippines. August 14, 2022. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c "CAVITEX C5 Link Merville exit ramp now open". PhilKotse.com. October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c CAVITEX (Official) [@CaviteXpressway] (September 21, 2024). "With the issuance of a Notice to Start Collection (OREF: 2024-2382) from the Toll Regulatory Board, the following toll rates will be implemented at the CAVITEX C5 Link Sucat Interchange starting at 12:01 AM on September 23, 2024" (Tweet). Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ a b de Leon, Dwight (June 21, 2024). "Sucat Interchange opens to motorists; no toll fees in the first month". Rappler. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  19. ^ Yao, Khriscielle (November 26, 2024). "MPT-South Corp. allots P12 B to finish CAVITEX, CALAX". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  20. ^ "CAVITEX C5 link toll rate hike takes effect Nov. 27". GMA Integrated News. November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  21. ^ Dumlao-Abadilla, Doris (June 26, 2015). "MPIC unit set to start work on P9-B tollroad". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  22. ^ Manila Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP). CAVITEX. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
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