Arroyo Leads Groundbreaking Rites of Tarlac-La Union Highway

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the 84.5-kilometer, P11.5-billion Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway (TLUTE), a Malacañang spokesperson said on radio Monday.

The new highway, to be completed in 2013, is expected to cut travel time to Manila of farmers and traders carrying agricultural products from northern and central Luzon by an hour.

"It will especially be advantageous to farmers from the North, like Baguio," Fajardo said over government station Radyo ng Bayan, adding that the expressway from Tarlac to La Union, could extend to as far as Binangonan in Rizal.

The TLUTE will also connect to the now existing Subic-Clark-Tarlac Express way (SCTEX), which will open commercially on April 28.

Reports said vehicles would be charged P2 per kilometer for the 94-kilometer highway.