SLEX TR4 to Reduce Travel Time from Manila to Bicol

Aug 13, 2026

68 min

Aug 13, 2026 04:30

Philippines: SLEX to Bicol — the 30-minute drive that could break Quezon’s traffic nightmare

## New Expressway to Ease Traffic

The South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4 (SLEX TR4) is under construction, aiming to extend the SLEX network from Sto. Tomas, Batangas, to Lucena City, Quezon Province. This project is expected to significantly reduce travel time for motorists heading south from Metro Manila.

## Partial Opening by December 2026

The Philippine Department of Transportation has announced that the first three packages of SLEX TR4 are set to open by December 2026. These packages will cover the stretch from Sto. Tomas to Tiaong, Quezon, reducing travel time from two hours to just 30 minutes.

## Long-Term Vision

Once fully completed, SLEX TR4 will extend to Lucena, further cutting travel time from Batangas to Lucena from four hours to one hour. The project is part of a larger plan to create a continuous expressway from Metro Manila to the Bicol region.

## Economic Impact

The new expressway is expected to attract around 17,000 vehicles daily, improving logistics, reducing delivery times, and boosting tourism and commercial development in the region.

## Challenges and Future Plans

The project has faced delays due to right-of-way acquisition issues. However, the partial opening in 2026 marks a significant step forward. The eventual completion of TR4 and the subsequent TR5 will transform the southern Luzon corridor into a high-speed expressway, enhancing connectivity to the Bicol peninsula.

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