Infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. took a big step forward on its offer to build a 50.4-kilometer toll road that will significantly cut travel time between Manila, Tagaytay and Batangas.

On Thursday, Metro Pacific unit Metro Pacific Tollways South was named the original proponent for its proposed Cavite Tagaytay Batangas Expressway (CTBEx). The Department of Public Works and Highways is the implementing agency for the CTBEx.

An original proponent status will give the company a big advantage in the mandated Swiss challenge bidding process for unsolicited proposals.

The P22-billion CTBEx, which is expected to start construction by 2020 and will be completed in about two years, will be linked to Metro Pacific’s Cavite Laguna Expressway (Calaex), which is under construction, and its Cavite Expressway (Cavitex).

Travel time will be shortened in the Governor’s Drive to Nasugbu and the Sta. Rosa to Tagaytay routes. It will benefit about 23,000 motorists daily, where multihour trips will be cut by at least half.

The CTBEx will have eight main interchanges: Silang East, Pook, Aguinaldo, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso, Magalanes and Nasugbu. Two spur roads will be located in Tagaytay and Tuy.

“Our objective in proposing this road is connectivity, providing thousands of motorists an alternative route to and from region 4A. It is a sensible connection to Calaex, as both alignments will decongest traffic in Cavite, Laguna and Batangas,” said Luigi Bautista, CEO of Metro Pacific Tollways South.

“Once completed, CTBEx will be the preferred route for motorists going to Tagaytay and Nasugbu from Manila and vice versa as this will seamlessly connect to Calaex and Cavitex,” he added.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the project would provide seamless travel for motorists in the area.

“Our doors are open to any developer with viable proposals, after all, now is the golden age of infrastructure as we find more routes that pave the way to progress of our nation,” he said.