A new expressway is set to reshape travel in Northern Luzon: the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEx).
PLEx is designed to cut travel time across the province by directly linking eastern towns like Binalonan and Laoac to western destinations such as Alaminos and Bolinao. Once completed, this 76.80-kilometer expressway will make trips to the coast smoother and faster, which is ideal for weekend travelers, logistics operators, and local commuters.
The highway is expected to open up new tourism opportunities, support homegrown businesses, and connect more communities to economic activity. In this article, we’ll explore what PLEx means for travelers, how it’s being built, and why it matters for the future of Pangasinan.
Connecting the Provinces
The PLEx project broke ground in Barangay Balligi, Laoac, last year, with construction currently underway. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in under four years. Land acquisition is already being addressed through a dedicated right-of-way (ROW) budget.
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Image from jdcwave via SkyScraper City
The PLEx promises a faster, more efficient route is on the way for travelers moving across Pangasinan. The full project spans up to 76.80 kilometers, connecting the eastern and western sides of Pangasinan.
Construction is being carried out in two phases. Phase 1 (42.76 km) runs from Binalonan to Lingayen and includes four key segments:
- Binalonan to Manaoag (6.9 km)
- Manaoag to Calasiao (11.3 km)
- Calasiao Area (2.39 km)
- Calasiao to Lingayen (22.7 km)
Phase 2 will extend the road further west to Alaminos City. Once complete, the expressway will support four lanes of traffic and connect directly to the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), allowing seamless long-distance travel from Central Luzon to the western coastline.
How the Project Is Funded
PLEx is being built at no cost to the government, with ₱34 billion in funding from San Miguel Corporation under a joint venture with the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.
The revenue-sharing structure includes:
- 5% of toll revenue is going directly to the province.
- A 30–70% profit-sharing model depending on project returns.
While SMC will benefit largely from the tolls collected from PLEx to earn back project expenses, the ownership will eventually be turned over to the local government after 35 years. This ensures that long-term benefits stay within the province, for the development of the area and the advantage of the Pangasinenses.
Express Travel: How PLEx Benefits The Filipino People
Once operational, PLEx will drastically cut travel times. The current 1-hour and 40-minute journey from Binalonan to Lingayen will drop to just 20 to 30 minutes. For daily commuters, this shift is transformative. A two-hour daily commute could soon be reduced to just a little over half an hour, tops.
Beyond saved time, the expressway is expected to ease congestion on existing routes and improve access to major towns, ports, and agricultural centers. As movement becomes easier and faster, the flow of goods, services, and tourists is also set to grow.
Road to Connectivity
PLEx is also part of a larger regional vision. It plays a key role in San Miguel Corporation’s North-Central Luzon connectivity plan, with future road links to the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. Governor Ramon Guico III has framed the expressway as a strategic growth corridor that will support towns beyond the main route, creating opportunities in trade, tourism, and logistics.
“All our big projects are anchored on the construction of the Pangasinan Link Expressway, because this serves as the backbone of our province in terms of ease of travel and connectivity,” he said during the ceremonial groundbreaking event.
With clear timelines, public-private coordination, and long-term impact in mind, the Pangasinan Link Expressway offers convenience and a physical representation of forward movement toward sustained development across Northern Luzon.
References
Abad, R. (n.d.). ₱34-billion Pangasinan Link Expressway breaks ground. Business Mirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/03/22/%E2%82%B134-billion-pangasinan-link-expressway-breaks-ground/
SMC, Pangasinan LGU break ground on new expressway. (2024, March 21). San Miguel Corporation. Retrieved July 9, 2025, from https://www.sanmiguel.com.ph/corporate/news/smc-pangasinan-lgu-break-ground-on-new-expressway
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Pangasinan Link Expressway. Retrieved July 9, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangasinan_Link_Expressway
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