A decade ago, a trip to Baguio would entail an arduous 8-10 hour drive. But when the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) was laid down courtesy of San Miguel Corporation’s Ramon S. Ang, the travel time was cut down to about 6-hours (which was the original travel time when I was a kid.)

The Pozorrubio Exit of TPLEX, the second to the last segment of the TPLEX Project that goes all the way to Rosario, La Union. (photo from DOTr-PIO)

Last November 29 2017, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) issued a Toll Operation Permit (TOP) to the Private Infrastructure Development Corporation (PIDC) for the maintenance and operation of the Binalonan-Pozorrubio segment of TPLEX.

This morning, December 6 2017, the 10.10 kilometer segment was officially opened by PIDC and DOTr-TRB heads with a little program at the Pozorrubio exit.

DOTr Usec Tim Orbos and PIDC officials inaugurate the Pozorrubio Exit. (photo from DOTr-PIO)

The Binalonan-Pozorrubio stretch is the second to the last segment of the TPLEX project that intends to see a full highway run all the way to Rosario, La Union where the foot of Kennon Road the goes up to Baguio City begins.

When completed, this would make travel to Rosario, La Union run to under three hours and up to Baguio City in less than four hours.