The Lapu-Lapu Expressway allows you to get from Cebu to Mactan in less than 15 minutes.
Traveling to Cebu airport will soon be much faster because of the new Lapu-Lapu Expressway (LLEX), which is set to start construction later this year.
The 12-kilometer expressway will be the first of its kind in the Visayas and Mindanao region, set to connect the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) and the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
The LLEX will reportedly be a four-lane elevated highway, starting from the Pilipog-Gabi Coastal Road located across the CCLEX toll booth, going all the way to the MCIA aviation road.
This could greatly reduce travel time from Cebu City to Lapu-Lapu, from 35 minutes down to 12. This will also allow decongestion in several roads and neighborhoods, especially those near the CCLEX.
The expressway is expected to have a projected daily traffic volume of around 50,000 vehicles.
The project is being developed through a Public-Private Partnership between the Lapu-Lapu City government and a consortium of developers comprising the Lapu-Lapu Expressway Corporation (LLEX Corp.).
These include the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC), Premium Megastructures Inc. (PMI), MTD Philippines, and Ulticon Builders Inc.
The Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) Group of Companies independently funds the project as well. The MVP Group owns the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, which also funded and spearheaded the construction of the CCLEX.
STRUGGLES
The LLEX has been delayed several times, as reported by local media outlets.
A CDN Digital article from December 2023 reported that the initial unveiling of the expressway was canceled from September 2023 to January 2024, after the CCLEC’s private partner and investor withdrew from the project. (2023)
Later on, an article published in Sunstar Cebu featuring an interview with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan officially confirmed that the groundbreaking ceremony would be held on June 14th, 2024. (2024)
Unfortunately, this was delayed because of a lack of documents, especially regarding the final agreement on the alignment of the project, moving it to June 26th. This was delayed again because of the unavailability of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
It was only in September 2024, wherein CCLEC President Engr. Allan Alfon confirmed that the expressway will officially start construction in 2025, as reported by an article in The Freeman. (2024)
LLEX Corp. is currently finalizing the terms of their involvement in the project now that MVP Group is its sole private investor.
It was revealed in another Sunstar Cebu article that the expressway’s budget was significantly reduced from Php 25 billion to between Php 8 billion and 9 billion in order to reduce its toll fee. (2025)
No final costs or budgeting plans have been revealed as of this writing.
As for the residential areas affected by the expressway’s construction, Mayor Chan revealed that around 10 houses in Basak will be affected. The city government will handle their relocation, which is allocated in the project’s budget.
THE FASTEST ROUTE TO THE AIRPORT
As two of the Philippines’ biggest tourist destinations, connecting mainland Cebu and Mactan Island is a project that has been tirelessly worked on over the years. While they have benefitted many, they have their fair share of caveats.
The two Mactan-Mandaue bridges are currently the primary ways to travel from Cebu to Mactan and vice versa, but motorists must brace themselves through the busy traffic on the national highways and streets.
The CCLEX, on the other hand, brings residents to Mactan through the municipality of Cordova. It is much faster, but also requires a Php 90 toll fee.
Aside from its many tourist locations, many come to Lapu-Lapu to go to the airport, and the LLEX might just be the fastest route to get there. It’s smooth and convenient since it passes the aviation road, which is far from the city’s busy streets and highways.
The project will reportedly take two years to finish once started, and by then traveling to the airport (and subsequently to Cebu City) will be much smoother than ever.
REFERENCES:
Inso, Futch Anthony. 2023. “LLEX groundbreaking set for January 2024.” CDN Digital.
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/542796/llex-groundbreaking-set-for-january-2024
Librea, Jerra Mae. 2024. “New Cebu skyway breaks ground soon.” Sunstar Cebu. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/new-cebu-skyway-breaks-ground-soon
De Dios, Kristin. 2024. “LLEX construction to start next year.” The Freeman. https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2024/09/28/2388583/llex-construction-start-next-year
Codis, Denise Mae. 2025. “LLEX deal moves ahead.” Sunstar Cebu. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/llex-deal-moves-ahead
