SLOPE PROTECTION WORKS AT TARLAC-PANGASINAN-LA UNION EXPRESSWAY
| Location : | Tarlac, Pagasinan, and La Union |
| Date Started : | March 2010 |
| Status : | On-Going |
| Client : | Private Infra Development Corporation (PIDC) |
| San Miguel Corporation |
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) is a four-lane expressway that starts from its southern terminal in Tarlac City and ends at the northern terminal at Rosario in La Union. This 88.5km expressway is an extension of North
Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). The expressway passes through the municipalities of Victoria, Pura, Ramos, and Anao in Tarlac. In Pangasinan, the expressway enters municipalities of Rosales,
Urdaneta, and Binalonan.
TPLEX Project involved the construction of roadways on fill slopes. Since most areas are in flat terrain, highway pavement was elevated several meters above to aid drainage. The embankment
then formed fill slopes that required bioengineering works to prevent erosion. Drainage structures were constructed across the slopes to divert surface runoff and prevent scouring on the surface.
Bare slopes formed
by embankment were protected using bioengineering. Coconets were used to provide immediate protection while the grass is not yet fully grown. Vegetation was established through hydroseeding. Effective seeding was done by mixing
slurry of seeds and mulches. The entire road slopes were bioengineered achieving the desired slope stability at a very cheap cost.
