R3ext - Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway) [Archive]

REMORA

March 26th, 2008, 03:53 PM

The Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (also known as the STAR Tollway or CALABARZON Expressway as town folks calls the tollway) is a four-lane 22 km expressway in the Philippines. The STAR Tollway is operated by STAR Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDC). It runs from Santo Tomas to Lipa City in the province of Batangas.

PGMA inaugurated and rode through the STAR tollway extension today! Only the northbound lane is finished. In the meantime, it will be a narrow two-way road. Definitely not as awesome and breath-taking as SCTEx but it gives our Southern Tagalog corridor some breathing room for more goods to pass more efficiently. Note the unfinished portions.

Sorry for the poor-quality pics and wrong date. I mistakenly brought my 10 year-old daughter's camera.

Star southbound entry announcing the extension's March 2008 opening

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollopens.jpg

Gov. Vi graces the occasion

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollvilma.jpg

PGMA waves to the crowd

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollgma.jpg

extension entry from Lipa

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollentry.jpg

Compressed Natural Gas buses joins the motorcade!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollcng.jpg

Unfinished tollway portions

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollunfinished.jpg

A couple more kms from here and we are in Batangas City

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollbatangasend.jpg

REMORA

March 26th, 2008, 04:04 PM

Already, goods are passing through!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollcardelivery.jpg

diz

March 26th, 2008, 08:48 PM

Another pat on the back for PGMA. :cheers:

bariQ

March 26th, 2008, 09:08 PM

another accomplishment that will never reach the frontpage

habagatcentral1

March 27th, 2008, 02:10 AM

Gov. Vi graces the occasion

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/startollvilma.jpg

Si Val, Si Val, Si Val na walang malay!!! :D

Anyway, they ended up CALABARZON expressway somewhere in Balagtas right? After that the bypass road leads it towards Batangas Pier. It is really an important component for transportation infra in Southern Tagalog.

By the way, does anybody know when will they extend CALABARZON Expressway towards SLEX? I find Calamba-Santo Tomas Road quite crowded nowadays.

jefflacs

March 27th, 2008, 02:40 AM

Si Val, Si Val, Si Val na walang malay!!! :D

Anyway, they ended up CALABARZON expressway somewhere in Balagtas right? After that the bypass road leads it towards Batangas Pier. It is really an important component for transportation infra in Southern Tagalog.

By the way, does anybody know when will they extend CALABARZON Expressway towards SLEX? I find Calamba-Santo Tomas Road quite crowded nowadays.

last time I pass by the end of SLEX march 1, 2008, sinisimulan na ung extension to star, nakita ko na kasing naclear na ung end ng SLEX pero hinde pa nagsisimula ung construction. I think it will be just a 2 lane highway base sa nakita ko.

habagatcentral1

March 27th, 2008, 02:43 AM

^^ Hmm, I see. Maybe like the one at Balagtas-Batangas Pier ByPass Road?

manchowyin

March 27th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Thanks, REMORA, for your valuable posts!

bacolodchamp

March 27th, 2008, 12:01 PM

another accomplishment that will never reach the frontpage

you bet.:ohno:

vinsabay

March 27th, 2008, 01:06 PM

jefflacs

March 27th, 2008, 01:18 PM

question lang... are they going to build a flyover from the end of star tollway extension to the Balagtas-Batangas Pier ByPass Road? it will surely create traffic kasi they need to cross the national highway before they reach the bypass road.

Please correct me If I'm wrong, pero kasi last may 11, 2007, nung pumunta ako sa batangas pier, yeah there is a construction of a flyover near the batangas pier, I am assuming this is the star tollway extension to batangas pier.

absinthe_888

March 27th, 2008, 01:21 PM

GMA opens Batangas tollway
By Arnell Ozaeta
Thursday, March 27, 2008
http://philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p=49&type=2&sec=28&aid=2008032664

Lipa City – President Arroyo graced yesterday’s “soft opening” of the P2.5-billion Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) tollway that stretches from the interchange here to Batangas City.

Mrs. Arroyo was accompanied by Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and STAR Tollway Corp. president Melvin Nazareno and chairman Mark Dumon. In her speech before local officials, students, heads of different offices of the DPWH and DOTC, and leaders of the maritime and transport sectors, the President congratulated those responsible for completing the project, which she said would benefit residents of Batangas and other Southern Tagalog provinces.

She particularly cited Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, former senator Ralph Recto, Rep. Mark Leandro Mendoza, Eileen Ermita-Buhain and Vicky Reyes, and businessman F.F Cruz, whose firm constructed Phase 2 of the STAR tollway. Meanwhile, Mrs. Arroyo reiterated her directive to the DOTC to allocate P1 billion from the Special Pollution Control Fund for environmentally sustainable transport projects such as the use of alternative fuels like compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas for public transport.

The STAR tollway is the vital link from Metro Manila through the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), one of the fastest growing areas in the Luzon Urban Beltway supra region.

Lucentino

March 27th, 2008, 05:50 PM

Potchot69

March 28th, 2008, 03:00 AM

Now that you mentioned it, can anyone please start a thread on the int'l seaport in Batangas? I've been browsing the Batangas thread but the entries are mostly about Lipa. Tnx a lot guys!

habagatcentral1

March 28th, 2008, 03:10 AM

IMHO: I hope they wont name it officially as "CALABARZON Expressway"... it doesn't traverse any portion of Cavite, Rizal and Quezon (that's 3 out of 5)... although all these provinces will benefit from it.

This road will mainly serve the provinces of Batangas & Laguna, as well as the processing zones therein, together with the international port of Batangas. It is also beneficial to the provinces traversed by the Nautical Hi-way to Vis-Min...

Maybe Nautical Expressway would suffice? :lol:

Now that you mentioned it, can anyone please start a thread on the int'l seaport in Batangas? I've been browsing the Batangas thread but the entries are mostly about Lipa. Tnx a lot guys!

Yeah. I was wondering why placards at the bus state it as CALABARZON? Anyway, hopefuly these projects would go as planned, and hopefuly a similar project (except for the Coastal Rd extention) would proceed in Cavite too. Also improve accessibility between southern Batangas and Cavite.

pau_p1

March 28th, 2008, 04:05 AM

oh so STAR was extended finally to Batangas City... hmm I wonder when they'll connect the northern end to SLEX...

Coffee

March 28th, 2008, 06:31 AM

vinsabay

March 28th, 2008, 01:20 PM

Please correct me If I'm wrong, pero kasi last may 11, 2007, nung pumunta ako sa batangas pier, yeah there is a construction of a flyover near the batangas pier, I am assuming this is the star tollway extension to batangas pier.

ahh yeah. that one's already operational na and is located at bolbok, batangas city. the one i'm pertaining to is at balagtas, batangas city. IMO, kelangan din ng flyover dun so that it won't cross the national highway :)

manchowyin

March 28th, 2008, 10:17 PM

Waitaminute, so the STAR expressway is already extended to Batangas City? Err, or it's just the northbound portion that's finished, and they're using it as a two lane road? When will the southbound portion be done? This is a development I've been waiting for for a long time but I didn't even realize construction had started yet... I don't hear about this in the news at all!

For it to be news, it has to be labelled "Truth". And according to the definition of a good number of broadsheets and TV stations, accomplished infrastructure projects do not constitute "Truth". For "Truth" to happen, you need to put several things together; for example, you have to have a squealer.

leechtat

March 29th, 2008, 02:52 AM

^^ :rofl: nice one..

bacolodchamp

March 29th, 2008, 03:02 AM

^^ :rofl: nice one..

si ate vi at si ate guy ang lead characters..:lol::lol::lol: laudable projects.:) i hope this will be replicated in other areas of the country to spur economic growth:)

absinthe_888

April 16th, 2008, 02:14 PM

mukang full blast na yung star slex connection, pinapatag na nila yung dulo ng slex sa calamba...malawak eh so baka eto na nga yung extension.

kiretoce

April 17th, 2008, 01:17 AM

Lipa-Batangas City toll road opens tomorrow (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business3_april16_2008)

The P2.1-billion toll road extension project that links the cities of Lipa and Batangas will be open for traffic tomorrow, its operator formally announced yesterday.

Melvin Nazareno, president of Star Infrastructure Development Corp., said motorists could start using the new toll road starting at 6 a.m.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on April 2 inaugurated the new toll road, which is officially known as STAR Tollway Project Stage 2—Phase 1.

The inauguration was attended by government officials, including Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.

The new toll road is part of the P687-billion Luzon Underway Belt Project, which seeks to connect through a 300-kilometer network the three logistics facilities outside Metro Manila: Subic International Container Terminal; Batangas City International Container Port and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport at the Clark Special Economic Zone.

The road network runs through Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon provinces) growth corridor and provinces of Mindoro and Marinduque

Nazareno said the new toll road covered the 19.74-kilometer concrete stretch from Lipa City to Batangas City International Container Port.

It was an extension of the Stage 1 project, the 22-kilometer, four-lane concrete stretch that links the town of Sto. Tomas and Lipa City, Nazareno said.

Nazareno said the opening was now reality after Star Infrastructure has obtained the two remaining documents: a toll operations certification from Toll Regulatory Board; and a certificate of substantial completion from the Public Works and Highways Department.

When fully operational, the toll road would reduce travel time from Manila to Batangas City by one-and-a-half hour and Lipa to Batangas City by 40 minutes, Nazareno said.

Moreover, the new toll road was expected to spur development in the Calabarzon region and generates employment and creates business opportunities in the area, he said.

The opening of the toll road would also encourage shipping firms to use Batangas City International Container Port, which will result in decongestion of the Port of Manila, he said.

The Star Arterial Toll Road, also known as Apolinario Mabini Superhighway, is the third of the Southern Luzon Expressway network of three expressways that connect Southern Luzon with Metro Manila.

barrera_marquez

April 17th, 2008, 05:33 AM

mukang full blast na yung star slex connection, pinapatag na nila yung dulo ng slex sa calamba...malawak eh so baka eto na nga yung extension.

pusang gala naman yung slex-star connection full blast pero yung slex rehabilitation parang wala na. ang tagal kasi.

absinthe_888

April 17th, 2008, 05:55 AM

pusang gala naman yung slex-star connection full blast pero yung slex rehabilitation parang wala na. ang tagal kasi.

yep tama ka, bagal talaga. kaya minsan ayoko na pumunta ng manila dahil mabwibwisit lang ako sa traffic. meh funding problems na din siguro tong MTD.

PasigGuy

April 22nd, 2008, 01:00 PM

meron ba news kung kelan naman ang another 2 lanes gagawin for STAR to Batangas?

absinthe_888

April 22nd, 2008, 08:49 PM

dpwh aerial

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/9426/naiaza9.gif

FrancisXavier

April 24th, 2008, 05:10 AM

meron ba news kung kelan naman ang another 2 lanes gagawin for STAR to Batangas?

2 lanes lang ba from Lipa-Batangas?

Sinjin P.

April 24th, 2008, 05:15 AM

^ Yeah, 4 lanes dapat pero binuksan na nila na 2 lanes pa lang ang natatapos. ;)

Lucentino

April 24th, 2008, 08:24 AM

only 2 lanes?... I would rather use the national hi-way if they dont put an asphalt overlay here...

Sinjin P.

April 24th, 2008, 08:38 AM

^ True, wala pa man ding gaanong traffic sa National Highway. :yes:

barrera_marquez

April 24th, 2008, 11:45 AM

Sinjin P.

April 24th, 2008, 12:04 PM

^ True. But I hope all portions of the NLEx will be lighted. :(

absinthe_888

April 24th, 2008, 02:51 PM

mahal ng kuryente sa pinas eh

ryanr

April 24th, 2008, 02:57 PM

^ True. But I hope all portions of the NLEx will be lighted. :(

No, it does not need to be. Think of the unnecessary cost, light pollution and waste of energy if they did that. Highways in Europe and North America are not lighted in sparsely developed areas for these reasons.

Sinjin P.

April 24th, 2008, 05:04 PM

^ Okay, that's fine. But in my opinion, those portions where hardly any vehicles pass through during night time should be lighted. (e.g. after the Dau Toll Plaza - Northbound)

anonymous_filipino

April 24th, 2008, 06:24 PM

I think all bridges should be lighted, just like in the States.

Vegas Visitor

April 24th, 2008, 06:55 PM

^ True. But I hope all portions of the NLEx will be lighted. :(

That would be too expensive to maintain they should just opt for cheaper road reflector markings! Plus your modern average car has a very good dim lumination system light!

pi_malejana

April 24th, 2008, 07:34 PM

^^ baka nakawin pa..:D

barrera_marquez

April 24th, 2008, 11:57 PM

Colonel Burger

April 25th, 2008, 03:09 AM

una, imposibleng manakaw ang mga ilaw ng NLEx kasi mamamatay muna sila dahil sa nasagasaan sila ng mga sasakyan.

pangalawa, DPWH states that only urban areas need lights. other than that, pwedeng wala na.

pangatlo, they don't need to pay electricity dahil sister company nila Meralco. Hindi ba Lopez ang MNTC?

It does not work that way. Kahit na Lopez ang MNTC, there is a principle in accounting called business entitiy. which means the owner is different from the business.

in simple words, though the two companies have the same owner, the two are different entities and the 2 maintains their own books and are not related to each other except that they have the same shareholders. therefore, MNTC has to pay every ounce of electricity that they get from Meralco.

PasigGuy

April 25th, 2008, 06:43 AM

I think all bridges should be lighted, just like in the States.

Yes that's true, normally sa mga interchanges lang ang lighted

dabomeister

April 25th, 2008, 11:23 AM

We are hoping that the other phase of this project would push thru, and eventually link Quezon province to the Star tollway!

Pilipinas... Quezon Naman!

absinthe_888

April 25th, 2008, 01:32 PM

di ba may proposal to extend slex all the way to lucena city...sana bago matapos ang 2020 this will be a reality..

Goku_25

April 28th, 2008, 10:57 AM

Meron na palang nagawang 4-lane expressway ang DPWH pero hindi aspalto, I'd say its better than a 2 lane asphalt expressway but a total loser to a modern expressway like NLEx. Yeah, NLEx is the big daddy of all expressways here in the Philippines because of its amenities.

Hi there, STAR Tollway might be all-concrete surface expressway. Look at the expressways of the US, some of them have concrete surface, others have asphalt surface.

I am also hoping that they should plan to put an asphalt overlay to that expressway.

apiong

May 26th, 2008, 06:53 PM

on the way back to Cuenca from Lipa City, we decided to take the "long cut" through the Star Tollway to check out this segment of the expressway... surprisingly, the Lipa to Batangas segment is much smoother than the old Sto. Tomas to Lipa segment:

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8600/D1000034.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000034.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5070/D1000035.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000035.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/9323/D1000036.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000036.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/4995/D1000037.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000037.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/7750/D1000038.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000038.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8716/D1000039.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000039.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5223/D1000040.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000040.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/9974/D1000041.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000041.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/7761/D1000042.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000042.jpg)
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/7140/D1000043.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000043.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1848/D1000044.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000044.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3884/D1000045.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000045.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2483/D1000046.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000046.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4193/D1000047.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000047.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7034/D1000048.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000048.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7683/D1000049.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000049.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6483/D1000050.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000050.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9688/D1000051.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000051.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6987/D1000052.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000052.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2677/D1000053.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=D1000053.jpg)

FerrariLover

May 26th, 2008, 08:56 PM

Wonder why there are few motorists in this highway?????

barrera_marquez

May 26th, 2008, 11:20 PM

FrancisXavier

May 27th, 2008, 03:44 AM

kelan nila plano gawin yung 2 more lanes?

Goku_25

May 27th, 2008, 03:53 AM

apiong

May 27th, 2008, 05:08 AM

Lipa-Batangas segment is smoother than the old Sto. Tomas-Lipa Segment coz it's newly-built but it will be dilapidated by later years if not maintained properly. The STAR Tollway management should planned to pave that Sto. Tomas-Lipa Segment with a fresh layer of asphalt.

we've been plying the Sto. Tomas to Lipa segment of the STAR Tollway ever since it opened and the concrete road surface has been bumpy even when it was still new, specially the Malvar to Lipa stretch... the Malvar/Tanauan to Sto. Tomas stretch is smoother I think because it was the stretch handled by the Japanese contractors while the the Malvar to Lipa stretch was handled by DPWH... which would explain the bumpy concrete finish? :bash: (do correct me if this info is inaccurate).

But I do agree, the STAR Tollway needs an asphalt overlay in its Sto. Tomas to Lipa segment.

Colonel Burger

May 27th, 2008, 08:42 AM

We went to anilao about 3 weeks ago. traveresed the whole expressway all the way to batangas city..... I hit a bird while travelling at 170Kph. i thought my wind shield will shatter into pieces.... anyway, they should do something about those birds for the sake of the motorists' safety.

barrera_marquez

May 27th, 2008, 08:51 AM

Colonel Burger

May 27th, 2008, 09:08 AM

E di duguan po wind shield ninyo colonel?

hindi naman.... the bird just bounced off the wind shield. i don't know what happend next to the poor bird.

manchowyin

May 27th, 2008, 04:10 PM

They should put up a warning for birds that says: Caution. Cars at 170 kph. :lol:

kratos1211

June 4th, 2008, 02:42 AM

BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 216
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Tito Hermoso

Of southern comfort and roundabouts

It’s always good to go places where PGMA has just inaugurated something. Having cut the ceremonial ribbon on the new Lipa-Batangas City/Port portion of the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway recently, the entire 40-kilometer length was sporting a neat grass cut with mud erosion kept to the side.

It’s really difficult though, to halt the scourge of our countryside: white and blue cellophane thin plastic bags littered the red earth. Afternoon rains now wash Batangas in high summer. So PGMA did not come upon the Balagtas roundabout at the southern end of the tollway the way I did; partly inundated with chunks of asphalt lapping against the curb stones.

For P44, from Sto. Tomas to Batangas City, one can avoid the unpredictable snail’s pace traffic of the old four-lane national highway. Another victim of linear development, billions have been spent on several upgrades but the unrestricted opening of intersections and roadside enterprises attract the stop anywhere, park anywhere culture of jeeps, provincial buses and tricycles. Traffic sometimes comes to a standstill because of the Filipino driver’s penchant to the cure-all that hurts all; counterflow. Authorities should criminalize this practice as it brings traffic to an instant Mexican standoff. The length of time needed to restore order does not even include writing traffic citations, which hardly happens.

If one is expecting anything like the NLEx or SCTEx, well, let’s just be grateful that it opened at all considering that the finance and contractual obligations of the STAR operators are not in the same world-class league as the NLEx or SCTEx. From Tambo exit/Lipa city, the new section is single carriageway, made of Philippine standard coarse concrete with tarmac emergency shoulders. Signage for exit names and prohibitions are international standard except for one by the still unfinished San Jose-Ibaan junction. It was a red edged round sign, with a fork in the road icon that warns of merging traffic. The proper sign for this purpose uses a white font on a blue borderless background. On the other hand, the posted minimum speed of 60 km/h — white numerals on a blue edge-less background — is correct. The double yellow no overtaking lines on curves are generous for impatient drivers.

The STAR has always been as scenic as Batangas is green all year round. There are nice vistas over some gullies, bridged by viaducts and even the Transco power pylons marching in the distance, over thick foliage, are a sight. Tollway engineers built concrete armored drainage ditches on the side of the road which will need extensive guard rails to be installed on the off side to prevent wayward vehicles from falling into the ditch. A typical 18-wheeler that jackknifes and plunges into this ditch will need a 40-ton crane to extricate it. The operators are right in fielding security guards by the fences and some unfinished local overpasses as thefts are becoming the biggest enemy of public investment in infrastructure. STAR tollway patrols are a mix of pick-up trucks and motorcycles that can traverse the muddy median. The motorcycle patrol riders in grey overalls should soon be needing fluorescent yellow vests and reflective bands for better visibility, though they observe international practice by keeping their bike lights on all the time, day or night. At any rate, the STAR’s new section should speed up the transit stage of trucks delivering to and from the Batangas port and the ecozones of Laguna, Cavite and the distribution depots of Metro Manila. And when the San Jose-Ibaan interchange opens, I will be curious to see if it’s a viable, though longer, alternate route to avoid progressive but crowed Lipa City, on the way to the Batangas Racing Circuit.

There is plenty of room for hope. The South Luzon Tollway-Alabang viaduct’s southbound structural deck is now visible as all traffic now takes the east side carriageway. The changing chicanes around the river bridges from Southwoods to Batino are starting to become a habit to regular SLEX sufferers/commuters. If only work by MTD Construction Philippines started with widening the river bridges first, we wouldn’t have this daily chicane torture. They should also blacken the disused white lane road markings so that drivers follow the correct yellow lane markings. It’s not too late to adopt on the four-lane Southwoods to Filinvest section the staged closure and adaptive realignment Leighton did when it reconstructed the NLEx. That system guaranteed at least two full decent lanes (with emergency space to spare) on both directions instead of this maze of walled paths that lead to confusing lane transitions and turns too sharp for eight-wheelers.

The Skyway’s twisting beam contractor, FF Cruz, is able to install and turn two beams every 25 days or so and with 10 pillars to go, it will be October when they run out of finished pillars and the real serious work of digging and putting up pillars (200?) from Bicutan to Alabang begins. But the best portion to hope for is the portion that should have been built 10 years ago. Even on a public holiday, vehicles crossing out of Makiling or commuters coming out of First Industrial Park and Carmelray can cause long jams up to the Sto. Tomas STAR plaza along the National Highway. At the end of South Luzon tollway, I finally saw the relief residents of Greenfield Ayala have long been waiting for. Mounds of earth, mowed and graded, taking shape to form the foundation of the dual carriageway missing link of SLT Calamba to the Sto. Tomas junction. When this opens, it leaves the notorious Tagaytay-Mendez-Evercrest ridge highway as the worst bottle neck to avoid.

Lastly, I am glad engineers are reviving the use of roundabouts (NLEx) where space permits. Roundabouts, like trams, have had a global revival of sorts. It reserves public space, sufficient to fit a grade separated junction (overpass/underpass) when future traffic demands. It also avoids the drunk driver induced T-bone collision all so common on four-way junctions as a roundabout either corrals the drunks to bear right to the side or allows them go straight into the central mound.

The problem is several generations of drivers do not understand roundabout right of way. Stand at the American cemetery Rotunda in Fort Bonifacio on any day and you will see motorcycles, jeeps and delivery vans take the short-cut and turn left to go against the traffic flow. We can’t legislate against these stubborn drivers but we can always design a road that makes it easier for them to follow the right way.

jun_of

June 5th, 2008, 05:39 AM

I had the chance to travel this expressway from Sto Tomas to Lipa City 5/23/08 - The ride is bumpy compared to NLEX and SCTEX but nevertheless faster and more scenic than the old national highways.

Sto Tomas Entrance
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/junof/STAR%20Tollway/f89796c3.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/junof/STAR%20Tollway/9447a2f8.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/junof/STAR%20Tollway/b2ba8bda.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/junof/STAR%20Tollway/e4c166d1.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/junof/STAR%20Tollway/ad29f6b8.jpg

Lipa City Exit
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/junof/STAR%20Tollway/4eceab23.jpg

anonymous_filipino

June 5th, 2008, 03:49 PM

^^ I really hope that the management of STAR Tollway Corporation will open their eyes and immediately paved STAR Tollway with high quality asphalt like the ones on the NLEx and SCTEx. Once they have the money they can modernize the expressway up to the par of NLEx

crappypants

June 5th, 2008, 08:46 PM

beautiful so lush and green.

Goku_25

June 11th, 2008, 11:40 AM

Any Updates about STAR Tollway?

kratos1211

June 14th, 2008, 07:09 AM

New south interchange reduces travel time by 30 minutes

By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:30:00 06/14/2008

MANILA, Philippines – The P100-million Malainen interchange in the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (Star) Tollway will be open to motorists Saturday.

A study by the Star Infrastructure Development Corp. (SIDC), the private company that built the road, said the new 42-kilometer interchange would cut travel time by about 30 minutes, compared to the current route, which passes through Alaminos and San Pablo in Laguna province and Tiaong, Candelaria and Lucena in Quezon province, via the Maharlika Highway.

Those coming through the Batangas City International Container Port can use the Malainen exit to reach the Bicol region or go north via Quezon province.

Southbound vehicles may enter through the Sto. Tomas portion of Star tollway, exit on the Malainen interchange in Ibaan, Batangas province, then proceed to Lucena or Candelaria in Quezon through Ibaan, Rosario, and San Juan, also in Batangas.

Star president Melvin Nazareno said the new toll road, including the Malainen interchange, is expected to encourage shipping companies and shippers to use the Batangas City International Container Port, thus decongesting the Port of Manila.

President Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated in March the Star Tollway, a P2.1 billion build-transfer-operate project, from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Balagtas, Batangas City, as part of the government’s efforts to accelerate economic development in the Calabarzon area and to promote convenient and affordable travel to the south via the Strong Republic Nautical Highway.

SIDC personnel will be on hand to assist motorists who can also call hotlines 043-7572277 and 043-7567870.

wheel of steel

June 14th, 2008, 07:17 AM

Goku_25

June 14th, 2008, 08:12 AM

^^ Well the most to be happy are the commuters bound to Batangas and to Bicol Regions as well as those passengers going to Lucena. I hope they could start building another expressway that connects Calamba to Lucena.

Yes, Expressway spur roads should be built from Batangas City to Lucena City to reduce travel time from the two cities. And they should also extend SLEx from Sto. Tomas to Lucena City and further to Naga City as an elevated expressway like Skyway for my hometown.

manchowyin

June 14th, 2008, 01:56 PM

Lucentino

June 14th, 2008, 03:27 PM

[B][SIZE="5"]

----

Southbound vehicles may enter through the Sto. Tomas portion of Star tollway, exit on the Malainen interchange in Ibaan, Batangas province, then proceed to Lucena or Candelaria in Quezon through Ibaan, Rosario, and San Juan, also in Batangas.

----

I hope they speed up the completion of the Quezon Eco-tourism (coastal) Road to ease traffic along the Maharlika hi-way Candelaria-Sariaya-Lucena. Sadly, last time PGMA visited Quezon, this project was slated to be completed by c.2010.

It is noteworthy that Central Luzon projects can be completed faster that Quezon projects... no conspiracy theory here just an observation...

esagerato

June 15th, 2008, 04:02 PM

I hope they speed up the completion of the Quezon Eco-tourism (coastal) Road to ease traffic along the Maharlika hi-way Candelaria-Sariaya-Lucena. Sadly, last time PGMA visited Quezon, this project was slated to be completed by c.2010.

It is noteworthy that Central Luzon projects can be completed faster that Quezon projects... no conspiracy theory here just an observation...

ahehe, sana ang susunod na presidente ay galing southern tagalog o kaya sa bicol region, joke! hehehe...

chito

June 17th, 2008, 06:57 AM

Yung mga hahabol pa sa summer at gustong mag beach sa San Juan Batangas, paalala lang po na mayroong re-routing sa town proper ng Lipa (expect Heavy Traffic at that area). I Suggest you take the Malainin Exit of the Star Tollway instead of Tambo in Lipa and take the Ibaan-Rosario road to San Juan rather than taking the Lipa-Rosario road to San Juan.

Btw, I agree with most guys here that the STAR Tollway should at least have a layer of asphalt over it.

esagerato

June 17th, 2008, 07:35 AM

^^ parang nakakalito... it easier to take the San Juan junction in Candelaria, Quezon as an alternate route.

absinthe_888

June 17th, 2008, 08:18 AM

pwede din sa tiaong, take bypass road tapos just look for the san juan sign turn right. derecho na laiya beach na. hehe

dabomeister

June 17th, 2008, 08:26 AM

The completion of the Eco-tourism road linking Lucena, Quezon & San Juan-Lobo, Batangas would make travel to south very easy. This project bypasses the Maharlika hi-way section of the Manila South Rd. that greatly reduce motorists journey to key cities in southern luzon & opening new business opportunities to local entrepreneurs and boosting local tourism. Long waiting queues during fiestas will be history once this project is finished.

esagerato

June 17th, 2008, 08:52 AM

pwede din sa tiaong, take bypass road tapos just look for the san juan sign turn right. derecho na laiya beach na. hehe

mas malapit nga pala yun kesa candelaria, hehehe...

absinthe_888

June 17th, 2008, 08:56 AM

mas malapit nga pala yun kesa candelaria, hehehe...

yup, iwas trapik ka pa. hehe. maganda naman kalsada so no problem.:)

spearhead

June 17th, 2008, 07:52 PM

Q: Are there any plans to build an expressway from Batangas or Laguna to Bicol Region? Thanks.

Lucentino

June 18th, 2008, 08:42 AM

Q: Are there any plans to build an expressway from Batangas or Laguna to Bicol Region? Thanks.

Yes, there is a plan to extend SLEx from Calamba City to Lucena City (even all the way to Bicol). But IMO, it might not materialize until someone from CALABARZON or Bicol be elected to the top post. :ohno:

Goku_25

July 6th, 2008, 04:00 AM

Any Updates?

Lucentino

July 14th, 2008, 10:47 AM

Did some research: the STAR TOLLWAY will not be called CALABARZON EXPRESSWAY afterall.

Based on Republic Act 9462 (http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2007/ra_9462_2007.html) (approved May 15, 2007) which is an "Act of Renaming the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) to Apolinario Mabini Superhighway (AMS)".

This road never was, and never will be CALABARZON Expressway. I hope someone will be able to re-name this thread to correctly reflect this and not mislead people. :)

Lucentino

July 14th, 2008, 05:27 PM

^Thanks Mods!

Sinjin P.

July 14th, 2008, 05:33 PM

^ No problem. Ako nga din eh, naconfuse kung bakit inilagay ang CALABARZON Expressway sa title eh alam ko naman na ibang project 'yun 'di ba? I dunno who did that. Anyway, narename ko na ang thread. :)

Lucentino

July 14th, 2008, 05:53 PM

I don't think there will ever be a CALABARZON Expressway in our lifetime. Unless such a road is built to connect Manila-Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon.

Anyway, thanks again and here is hoping for the on-time completion of the STAR/AMS!

Sinjin P.

July 14th, 2008, 05:55 PM

^ Yep and I hope they overlay it with asphalt. :)

Goku_25

July 25th, 2008, 01:33 PM

Any Updates?

overtureph

August 29th, 2008, 07:08 PM

STAR Tollway

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0221.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0164.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0163.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0166.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0231.jpg

Photos by overtureph

overtureph

August 29th, 2008, 07:15 PM

STAR Tollway

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0223.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0224.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0225.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0226.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0227.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0228.jpg

Photos by overtureph

overtureph

August 29th, 2008, 07:17 PM

STAR Tollway

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0229.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0230.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0232.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0233.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0236.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0222.jpg

Photos by overtureph

overtureph

August 29th, 2008, 07:21 PM

STAR Tollway

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0165.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0161.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0162.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0250.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0252.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0255.jpg

Photos by overtureph

overtureph

August 29th, 2008, 07:25 PM

STAR Tollway

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0257.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0259.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0262.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0241.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Batangas/STAR%20Tollway/2008_0430Vacation0243.jpg

Photos by overtureph

D'Watcher

August 30th, 2008, 05:57 AM

nice to see the new pics of the star extension, excited to see the other portion when it's finished..:banana:

Dreamtofly

August 30th, 2008, 08:55 AM

PasigGuy

August 30th, 2008, 06:46 PM

...thanks sa pictures!
Hanggang Batangas City naba ang end ng STAR? yung 4 lane hanggang Lipa lang ba? full blast ba ang construction ng 3rd and 4th lanes?

chito

September 1st, 2008, 09:35 AM

from Batangas City to Lipa -- 2 Lanes
from Lipa City to Sto Tomas -- 4 Lanes
from Sto Tomas to Turbina (end of current SLEX) -- Under Construction

RonnieR

September 1st, 2008, 03:26 PM

I just notice that there some resident close to the highway? If these an express way there should build it at least 1000 meters away from the residential area.

It nice but i think it a bumpy ride kasi hindi cia asphalted.

It is not a bumpy ride but not as smooth if the road is asphalted. It is still a major leap compared to the previous road.

absinthe_888

September 1st, 2008, 05:43 PM

indeed, travel time has been significantly reduced by opening up the lipa-batangas city segment. ala nang kahirap hirap pumunta sa batangas pier ngayon.

serendip finder

September 3rd, 2008, 04:54 PM

It is not a bumpy ride but not as smooth if the road is asphalted. It is still a major leap compared to the previous road.

Hi, this is my first post in the Philippine forum.

At high speed the ride feels really bumpy even with a good suspension, especially in the segment between Malvar and Lipa. It is not just a case of having no asphalt overlay; the concrete surface was poorly done. Compared to other concreted highways in the Philippines, there is a big difference.

But the Lipa-to-Batangas segment is much smoother.

Having said that, the STAR tollway is a big plus for Batangas.

RonnieR

September 4th, 2008, 09:59 AM

Hi, this is my first post in the Philippine forum.

At high speed the ride feels really bumpy even with a good suspension, especially in the segment between Malvar and Lipa. It is not just a case of having no asphalt overlay; the concrete surface was poorly done. Compared to other concreted highways in the Philippines, there is a big difference.

But the Lipa-to-Batangas segment is much smoother.

Having said that, the STAR tollway is a big plus for Batangas.

high speed means to you as _____km/hr?

serendip finder

September 4th, 2008, 01:26 PM

high speed means to you as _____km/hr?

100-150km/h. I only do this speed because I have to travel Paranaque to Batangas City & back same day, every other day, for my project. But I make sure I keep a good distance from other cars :)

But even at 80-100km/h the section I referred to makes for a rough drive.

Lucentino

September 5th, 2008, 02:58 PM

^^I believe that "rough section" was done by DPWH... so what else is new?

I hope you'd be careful driving. That speed is not adviceable for Philippine hi-ways. Some curves were not designed well enough to sustain such speeds.

Coffee

September 5th, 2008, 07:14 PM

150km/h is a speed not advisable anywhere in the world.

Lucentino

September 6th, 2008, 09:10 AM

150km/h is a speed not advisable anywhere in the world.

I believe some places in the US and Europe, 150kph is allowed. But their hi-ways are well designed.

Anyway, the next step could be laying asphalt overlay to smoothen the ride after completion of the entire extension and connection projects.

Coffee

September 6th, 2008, 11:19 AM

I don't know about Europe, but it's not allowed in the US. 150kph is 90mph... The highest speed limit they have is 80mph, and that's only in very rural interstate highways.

Lucentino

September 6th, 2008, 12:38 PM

^^It is rare at this time for people anywhere in the world to go 150kph due to the price of fuel. I believe in some US interstates, they allow +5mph to +10mph from the limit depending on time of day, weather or volume of traffic. But they definitely discourage speeding due to safety hazards that is why speed limit was put at around 60-80mph max in every state. For Europe, try Germany/Austria... they dont encourage speeds in excess of 120kph, but one can go more than that if their car can achieve it.

I think the design speed for this STAR tollway could be 60-80kph. At the current state of RP hi-ways, to enable a motorist to attain a 150kph speed, some elements should align: i.e. nicely paved and clear roads, good weather, lots of money for fuel, and a vehicle that can attain such a speed.

arnolds

September 7th, 2008, 05:05 PM

kratos1211

September 7th, 2008, 05:51 PM

I believe some places in the US and Europe, 150kph is allowed. But their hi-ways are well designed.

Some sections of the German autobahn does not have speed limit, you can see cars here running above 200 kph. :)

kratos1211

September 8th, 2008, 01:49 PM

NLEX and SCEX are capable of handling in excess of 150kph. Kinurakot lang yang STAR kaya ang pangit ng gawa! Same with the ongoing SLEX project. Malas talaga mga taga south luzon!

:bash:

CA OKs fraud trial of former construction exec

By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- The Court of Appeals has allowed the prosecution of the former chairman of the board of highway developer Star Infrastructure Development Corp., (SIDC) for allegedly defrauding the company of more than P100 million.

The appellate court upheld the denial by the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cezar Quiambao's plea to have his trial for estafa (fraud) postponed, pending an appeal on his indictment.

In one of the two charges he is facing, Quiambao is accused of misappropriating P85.808 million of SIDC funds. The SIDC, represented by Louie Turgo as complainant, charged Quiambao with disbursing money to his two companies, Stradec and Strategic Alliance Holdings Inc., without authority, as well as to his brother.

In the second case, Quiambao stands accused of defrauding SIDC of P15.18 million which he allegedly converted to his personal use and benefit.

Turgo, who is also the complainant in this case, alleged Quiambao used deceit when he obtained the funds from SIDC in the form of loan repayments and salaries.

The SIDC is involved in the development of the skyway on the South Luzon Expressway, among other projects.

The charges against Quiambao were filed in the Pasig RTC on June 4, 2007.

manila_eye

September 8th, 2008, 11:25 PM

dapat makulong yang hayop na yan! ang kapal ng mukha... kung matapos lang ang star toll expressway super pwede kang makipagkarerahan... lagyan din ng ilaw at emegency phone kasi kawawa ang mga nasisiraan.

RonnieR

September 9th, 2008, 11:15 AM

:bash:

CA OKs fraud trial of former construction exec

By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- The Court of Appeals has allowed the prosecution of the former chairman of the board of highway developer Star Infrastructure Development Corp., (SIDC) for allegedly defrauding the company of more than P100 million.

The appellate court upheld the denial by the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cezar Quiambao's plea to have his trial for estafa (fraud) postponed, pending an appeal on his indictment.

In one of the two charges he is facing, Quiambao is accused of misappropriating P85.808 million of SIDC funds. The SIDC, represented by Louie Turgo as complainant, charged Quiambao with disbursing money to his two companies, Stradec and Strategic Alliance Holdings Inc., without authority, as well as to his brother.

In the second case, Quiambao stands accused of defrauding SIDC of P15.18 million which he allegedly converted to his personal use and benefit.

Turgo, who is also the complainant in this case, alleged Quiambao used deceit when he obtained the funds from SIDC in the form of loan repayments and salaries.

The SIDC is involved in the development of the skyway on the South Luzon Expressway, among other projects.

The charges against Quiambao were filed in the Pasig RTC on June 4, 2007.

He should be charged with plunder, non-bailable....put into jail....that's people's money.

Goku_25

October 4th, 2008, 05:35 AM

Pics of Ibaan/Malainin Exit of STAR Tollway.. pic from another forum, Tsikot Forums http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1089983&postcount=54
Please don't sue... Mga moderators, alisin nyo na lang kung may anomalya tong post na ito.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/La%20Luz%20061408/IMG_7948.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/La%20Luz%20061408/IMG_7949.jpg

mwg12a

October 18th, 2008, 11:03 AM

What are those people are doing there in that tollway? They all looks like mostly kids to me.

Goku_25

October 18th, 2008, 12:07 PM

What are those people are doing there in that tollway? They all looks like mostly kids to me.

Haay naku...

To STAR Infrastructure Development Corp.: Look at this!!!! There are beggars on these tollgates :ohno: You made your own expressway as a 3rd class!!

Sana SLTC should take over the management talaga ng STAR Tollway para lang i-pave ng high quality asphalt ang entire stretch or reblock the stretch between Malvar and Lipa with a high-quality cement kagaya sa Lipa-Batangas stretch at Sto. Tomas-Malvar stretch. And they should modernize up to the par of NLEx. Or, SLEx and STAR should left NLEx behind as the most modern expressway in our country na may high-tech features na pinakamaganda...

Louman

October 19th, 2008, 09:49 AM

Haay naku...

To STAR Infrastructure Development Corp.: Look at this!!!! There are beggars on these tollgates :ohno: You made your own expressway as a 3rd class!!

Sana SLTC should take over the management talaga ng STAR Tollway para lang i-pave ng high quality asphalt ang entire stretch or reblock the stretch between Malvar and Lipa with a high-quality cement kagaya sa Lipa-Batangas stretch at Sto. Tomas-Malvar stretch. And they should modernize up to the par of NLEx. Or, SLEx and STAR should left NLEx behind as the most modern expressway in our country na may high-tech features na pinakamaganda...

Was it raining at the time the picture was taken? Maybe the toll booth was being used as cover from the rain for the time being. Still, what are those kids doing at a toll booth?

Goku_25

October 19th, 2008, 01:47 PM

Was it raining at the time the picture was taken? Maybe the toll booth was being used as cover from the rain for the time being. Still, what are those kids doing at a toll booth?

It was taken in june ata.. these pics are from another forum....

Colonel Burger

October 20th, 2008, 07:51 AM

STAR tollway can handle speeds at excess of 150kph. Im so sure. I already did 190Kph+ before on the tollway. =)

johnmizer

October 20th, 2008, 09:44 AM

^^^^ using waht

boroyski

October 20th, 2008, 10:05 AM

STAR tollway can handle speeds at excess of 150kph. Im so sure. I already did 190Kph+ before on the tollway. =)

:lol:para kang nasa loob ng basketball nyan, dribol ng dribol! :lol: Buti hindi ka nahilo.

mwg12a

October 20th, 2008, 10:52 AM

Was it raining at the time the picture was taken? Maybe the toll booth was being used as cover from the rain for the time being. Still, what are those kids doing at a toll booth?

Could of been a rainy day where people started to seek shelter, because the windshield of that car looks obviously wet.... but heck, they are all sitting down on the pavement. Usually, if people are just taking shelter, they are mostly standing up. Those people looks like they are sitting comfy on the ground. I don't see anything that indicates they are peddling or selling something.

MgnumSbr

October 20th, 2008, 04:06 PM

STAR tollway could handle speed in excess of 150kph. My van's (a first generation Toyota Revo 1.8 GLI) speedometer could only run until 150 kph and tried it to the limit about two or three times. My usual travel speed at STAR tollway when I am in the Philippines is about 120 - 140 kph and the road handled fine with no bumpy feeling to the ride whatsoever. I have not tried this in on the new stretch from Lipa to Batangas City as it was still under construction the time I had my vacation last December.

arnolds

October 21st, 2008, 01:25 AM

louiet

October 21st, 2008, 03:27 AM

Was it raining at the time the picture was taken? Maybe the toll booth was being used as cover from the rain for the time being. Still, what are those kids doing at a toll booth?
thanks for your comment. we will inform the management regarding this and find out what took place why these people took shelter at the Malainin plaza

Deus Ex

October 21st, 2008, 04:43 AM

Pics of Ibaan/Malainin Exit of STAR Tollway.. pic from another forum, Tsikot Forums http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1089983&postcount=54
Please don't sue... Mga moderators, alisin nyo na lang kung may anomalya tong post na ito.

My goodness, what are those squatters doing there? There adding the the ugliness of that tollbooth and the 3rd world quality of that express way. :ohno:
Squatters everywhere..

Goku_25

October 21st, 2008, 05:27 AM

My goodness, what are those squatters doing there? There adding the the ugliness of that tollbooth and the 3rd world quality of that express way. :ohno:
Squatters everywhere..

Hay naku.... STAR Tollway management ang nagpapabaya sa mga toll gates nila... diba, bawal ang mga pedestrian sa mga expressway....

I really hope that SLTC should take STAR Tollway's franchise and either pave the entire stretch with high quality asphalt or reblock the stretch between Malvar and Lipa with high quality cement just like its extension to Batangas City and the stretch between Sto. Tomas and Malvar so they can modernize it along with rehabilitated SLEx up to the par or ahead of NLEx and SCTEx. And then, they should rename that tollway as "Batangas Port Expressway" or "Batangas-Mindoro Expressway?" And then, they should implement proper rules and regulations to prevent those squatters from staying in the tollgates...

MgnumSbr

October 21st, 2008, 08:50 AM

You must be on a different highway. STAR Tollway is unsafe at 150kph. THe surface is just not up to spec.

I am from Batangas City and I take the STAR Tollway everytime I go to Manila. Going from Lipa to Sto. Tomas, like I said, my normal travel speed is from 120 to 140 kph. On the other side, from Sto. Tomas to Lipa, my normal travel speed is 100 to 120 as this side is mostly uphill. I admit that there are some parts that are bumpy but most parts are comfortable. My passengers usually sleep when we are in the STAR Tollway all the way to the Shell station in San Pedro as the condition and speed of the car compensates for the small bumps on the road. The suspension of my Toyota Revo handles well in STAR Tollway.

absinthe_888

October 21st, 2008, 10:00 AM

nakakatakot naman humarurot sa STAR, ang pangit ng kalsada...

Louman

October 22nd, 2008, 05:35 AM

I am from Batangas City and I take the STAR Tollway everytime I go to Manila. Going from Lipa to Sto. Tomas, like I said, my normal travel speed is from 120 to 140 kph. On the other side, from Sto. Tomas to Lipa, my normal travel speed is 100 to 120 as this side is mostly uphill. I admit that there are some parts that are bumpy but most parts are comfortable. My passengers usually sleep when we are in the STAR Tollway all the way to the Shell station in San Pedro as the condition and speed of the car compensates for the small bumps on the road. The suspension of my Toyota Revo handles well in STAR Tollway.

Wow, you drive that fast on the highway? Isn't that a bit unsafe or are there really a few cars on the road at the time?

angelneo

October 23rd, 2008, 03:59 AM

Goku_25

October 23rd, 2008, 05:32 AM

dapat lagyan ng asphalt overlay ang STAR... para smooth sya like NLEX and SCTEX..
driving at high speeds, mararamdaman mo talaga ang mga imperfections ng road..
i would only recommend an average of 100kph and 120kph on some smooth parts.. hehe

Pwede rin ilagyan ng high-quality asphalt ang entire stretch ng STAR or reblock the bumpy parts, especially the stretch between Malvar and Lipa which was handled by "corrupt" DPWH, with high quality cement and with better handling kagaya sa Sto. Tomas-Malvar stretch na hinawakan ng mga Japanese contractors at yung Lipa-Batangas stretch na baka hinawakan ng MTD Capital BHD ata...

boroyski

October 23rd, 2008, 05:50 AM

Pwede rin ilagyan ng high-quality asphalt ang entire stretch ng STAR or reblock the bumpy parts, especially the stretch between Malvar and Lipa which was handled by "corrupt" DPWH, with high quality cement and with better handling kagaya sa Sto. Tomas-Malvar stretch na hinawakan ng mga Japanese contractors at yung Lipa-Batangas stretch na baka hinawakan ng MTD Capital BHD ata...

iba-iba ang builders, iba-iba ang quality? :ohno: Dapat the whole stretch should be done by Japanese Contractors including repairs, though I have nothing against MTD (malaysian group). Proven na yung quality nila eh,look at SCTEX, ang ganda diba? Pinaka-worst yata ang quality ng DPWH. "Corruption First Above Anything Else"! Yan motto nila! mga *&%^$#)@ sila :bash:

Goku_25

October 23rd, 2008, 06:19 AM

iba-iba ang builders, iba-iba ang quality? :ohno: Dapat the whole stretch should be done by Japanese Contractors including repairs, though I have nothing against MTD (malaysian group). Proven na yung quality nila eh,look at SCTEX, ang ganda diba? Pinaka-worst yata ang quality ng DPWH. "Corruption First Above Anything Else"! Yan motto nila! mga *&%^$#)@ sila :bash:

Sana Japanese contractors ang humawak sa Malvar-Lipa stretch noon pa..... Pero ang humawak sa Malvar-Lipa Stretch, DPWH:bash:, kasi bumpy kaya halatang kinurakot... at Na-implement tong STAR, panahon pa ni Erap.....:ohno: Dapat sana kay Ramos pa yan.... Hay nakuu, parang NAIA T3 na may substandard parts na inilagay sa ceiling kaya nag-collapse

MgnumSbr

October 23rd, 2008, 09:43 AM

Wow, you drive that fast on the highway? Isn't that a bit unsafe or are there really a few cars on the road at the time?

The traffic at STAR Tollway is usually light so you can drive at fast speeds. I could cover the whole stretch from Lipa to Sto. Tomas in 10 - 15 minutes max. Mind you, there are signs at STAR that says the maximum limit is 80, but most cars, especially the ones that travel on it regularly like I do, exceed 100. Sometimes I had to pull over to the slow lane as the car behind me is travelling much faster hehehe. But when it is raining, my normal speed is between 80 to 120, but sometimes more hehehe. I used to drive more than 100 at SLEx before they implemented the radar (I think that was still in 2001 to 2002). I am usually on the fast lane but I dont use the shoulder but I only go above 100 when the traffic is light to moderate.

oboi

October 26th, 2008, 11:43 AM

Goku_25

October 26th, 2008, 02:22 PM

A few hundred meters from Lipa Exit, the road narrows to just 2 lanes.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/slextn02.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/slextn03.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/slextn04.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/slextn05.jpg

Batangas City Exit
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/slextn01.jpg

September 20, 2008

Nice shots, parang US interstate highway na Portland Cement Concrete sa portion ng Lipa-Batangas. I hope they should finish constructing another carriageway. Parang nasa old NLEx in Balem-Sta Ines Portion.

kratos1211

December 24th, 2008, 05:51 PM

Toll rates on Coastal Road, STAR to go up by 18-25%
By Rainier Allan Ronda Updated December 25, 2008 12:00 AM

As oil prices continue to drop, motorists plying the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) and the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway have to brace themselves though with an 18 to 25 percent increase in toll rates starting Jan. 1, 2009.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved the implementation of the regular adjustment on the toll rates on STAR and the Coastal Road earlier this month.

The increase is reportedly in line with the provisions of the tollway concession agreements with the builder-operators of STAR and Coastal Road, whose toll rates were last increased in 2006.

No toll increase is expected on the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Skyway, the TRB said.

According to notices published in newspapers, On the STAR, toll rates at Stage 1 – from Santo Tomas to Lipa City in Batangas – will go up from P24 to 29 for Class 1, P47 to P58 for Class 2, and P71 to 87 for Class 3.

At the tollway’s Stage 2 – Lipa City to Batangas City – the rates will increase from P20 to P26 for Class 1, P40 to P52 for Class 2, and P60 to P77 for Class 3.

In total, the toll rates for the whole stretch of the STAR – from Santo Tomas to Batangas City – will go up from P44 to P55 for Class 1, P88 to P109 for Class 2, and P131 to P164 for Class 3.

Goku_25

December 25th, 2008, 01:58 AM

mr.suroy

December 26th, 2008, 08:21 AM

eh bakit sabi sa balita, sinusunod lang daw nila yung deal nila sa mga investors na mag hike para kumita. ang dahilan nila eh profit based business pa rin naman ung star.

venntro

February 25th, 2009, 07:52 AM

Luzon beltway projects 22% complete (http://http://www.inquirer.net/propertyguide/buildingblocks/view.php?db=1&article=20090224-190818)
February 24, 2009 20:02:00
Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga—Thirteen government projects have been completed in the Luzon Urban Beltway worth P39.3 billion, or 22 percent of the total P180 billion allotted to develop the "super region" in the north, a Malacañang official said.

Secretary Eduardo Pamintuan, who heads the development in the region, on Tuesday said that of the 38 projects in the beltway, the 13 completed projects are:

• Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)
• Panday Pira Aacess Road
• Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA)
• DMIA passenger terminal expansion
• Subic port development
• Southern Tagalog Arterial Road
• Phase two of the Batangas Port Development Project
• Three projects for the roll-on, roll-off ferry link between Lucena town, Quezon province, and Boac town, Marinduque province
• Rehabilitation of EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue)
• Upgrading of hospitals
• Opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

"Let us develop the Luzon Urban Beltway a seamless priority infrastructure project," President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in a speech during a Cabinet meeting here.

anonymous_filipino

February 25th, 2009, 11:39 AM

During our trip to Puerto Galera last december, we tried going there via SLEx-STAR-RoRo-Calapan City-Puerto Galera route. When we were traversing STAR Tollway, our vehicle's speedo (Fortuner 3.0 V Diesel) hit 180 kph between Bulihan and Tambo exit, and I did not lose control of our vehicle's steering wheel. But I had to slow down to 120 kph because of the very bumpy ride (kapag Fortuner matagtag talaga). On the Tambo-Batangas segment, the surface is not as bumpy as the Sto. Tomas-Tambo segment, kaya birit uli to 180 kph.

bustero

February 27th, 2009, 09:31 AM

It's not only your fortuner, talagang parang di masyadong pulido ang road. It's smooth but has tiny waves so parang may natural speed bumps hehe.

Lucentino

February 27th, 2009, 03:15 PM

chris_nigel

February 27th, 2009, 03:35 PM

nice cars....well ako innova lang pero enjoy the trip maganda ang view eh

sushi___

March 3rd, 2009, 07:06 AM

Tagalog News: Star Tollway sagot sa problema ng trapiko

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p090228.htm&no=8&date=02/28/2009

Lucena City (28 February) -- "Natutuwa kami sa pagkakaroon ng Star Tollway, naging magaan ang pagbyahe namin balikan mula Batangas puntang Maynila.: Ito ay ayon kay G. Ronnel Lontoc, isang bus driver ng ALPS Bus, Inc.

Ayon kay G. Lontoc, buhat ng itayo ang STAR Tollway maraming byahe na bus puntang Maynila ang dito na dumadaan, bukod sa iwas trapiko ay mabilis din ang byahe.

Noong una ay labis na ang kanilang kasiyahan sa pagkakaroon ng Star Tollway mula STo. Tomas patungong Lipa sapagkat sa tindi ng trapik sa Tanauan ay inaabot ng sobrang tagal sa byahe.

Naging lubos ang kanilang pasasalamat ng magkaroon ng Phase II ang Star Tollway mas naging mabilis ang byahe nila kung kaya't umaabot na sila sa quota ng kumpanya.

Tunay aniya ang laking ginhawa ng pagsasakatuparan ng Star Tollway, isang napakalaking proyektong pang-imprastraktura ito na simbolo ng pag-unlad ng lalawigan ng Batangas kung kaya't marapat lamang na papurihan ang Pang. Arroyo sa kanyang inisyatibo na maisulong ang Luzon Urban Beltway. (PIA)

Colonel Burger

March 4th, 2009, 04:25 AM

I did 170kph at star tollway with our CR-V... 198kph with a Toyota Vios 1.5G M/T

Scary since it was a bumpy ride.... but i figured, if i figure in an accident.... it wouldn't hurt since i'll be dead in an instant :lol:

If the tollway improves and is asphalted, I'll try to do 200++ in the future.... :Cheers:

Lucentino

March 4th, 2009, 05:34 AM

nice cars....

Figure of speech my friend! Who do you think can buy such vehicles and be able to maintain them at this point in time? :lol:

kratos1211

March 4th, 2009, 12:52 PM

lat42

March 5th, 2009, 07:10 AM

Buckle up and drive safe.

OT SCTEX driving
rFiSPZXL10Y&feature

Hi guys, maybe kaya di pa naglalagay ang Star Tollway ng asphalt over is to prevent drivers to drive this fast. Delicado talaga yung ginawa nila. If I remember it right, may nag post na tumakbo ang BMW nya sa STAR ng 190 kph. Just think kung may asphalt overlay and smooth ang ride sa STAR. Everybody will be attempting to outdo the 260 kph done at SCTEX.

Yan talaga ang problema if you have a clear road ahead of you and wala talagang traffic. Talagang you will be tempted to try this.

lochinvar

March 6th, 2009, 01:04 AM

"Buckle up and drive safe."

And please stay in one lane only. :ohno:

Lucentino

March 9th, 2009, 06:22 PM

^One small bump and that car might get downside up! You know how crazy Philippine hiways can get sometimes... careful...

absinthe_888

March 10th, 2009, 05:18 AM

work is still commencing on the SLEX-STAR bridge connection...asan na kaya ang ating kapwa SSC forumer who works on the SLEX connection, hope you can post some pics sir

Arciga_01

March 13th, 2009, 05:36 AM

Wow, 260KPH at SCTEX?! Naku, biglang may ahon at paakyat nyan sa SCTEX. Kaunting pagkakamali, durog yan koste na yan !

Rodel

March 22nd, 2009, 02:36 PM

Mt. Makiling on the background...STAR toll
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Batangas/100_2274.jpg

Rodel

March 22nd, 2009, 02:39 PM

taken this afternoon...
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Batangas/100_2278.jpg

Lucentino

March 22nd, 2009, 03:58 PM

^^Wisconsin? :lol:

Sana linisin nila yung mga ligaw na damo sa pavement...

chris_nigel

March 23rd, 2009, 03:30 AM

taken this afternoon...
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Batangas/100_2278.jpg

buti may space pa for future expansion :banana::banana::banana::banana:

Vegas Visitor

March 23rd, 2009, 05:04 PM

taken this afternoon...
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Batangas/100_2278.jpg

Siguradong manipis yang aspalto ng shoulder lane kaya mabilis tubuan ng damo.

Dreamtofly

March 23rd, 2009, 06:48 PM

Siguradong manipis yang aspalto ng shoulder lane kaya mabilis tubuan ng damo.

Parang hindi cia highways. It's look like ordinary road to me.

mwg12a

March 24th, 2009, 07:17 AM

Bakit? May special road ba? Parang halo halo may icecream at ube sa tuktok???LOL

honestly, I think it just lack maintenance. The grass should be mowed and trimmed every week, that's all it needed. Atleast it's not "lubak lubak" yet.

chris_nigel

March 24th, 2009, 02:54 PM

maganda na yan kung tutuusin konti pa lang kasi dumadaaan but year's time dadami na yan

sino nga pala may ari ng STAR tollway?

barrera_marquez

March 24th, 2009, 11:48 PM

maganda na yan kung tutuusin konti pa lang kasi dumadaaan but year's time dadami na yan

sino nga pala may ari ng STAR tollway?

Presently the government pero after the rehabilitation, SLTC na...

lat42

March 25th, 2009, 07:02 AM

Presently the government pero after the rehabilitation, SLTC na...
correction lang po. ang main proponent ng Star Tollway ay Star Infrastructure Development Corporation at ang operations company nila ay Star Tollway Corporation

barrera_marquez

March 25th, 2009, 10:44 AM

correction lang po. ang main proponent ng Star Tollway ay Star Infrastructure Development Corporation at ang operations company nila ay Star Tollway Corporation

Ay oo nga pala... sorry. Pero alam ko sa idudugtong hindi ba ang SLEx at STAR?

Lucentino

March 25th, 2009, 08:52 PM

maganda na yan kung tutuusin konti pa lang kasi dumadaaan but year's time dadami na yan

sino nga pala may ari ng STAR tollway?

Presently the government pero after the rehabilitation, SLTC na...

Is it owned or just operated by them?

manila_eye

March 25th, 2009, 11:23 PM

How could they ask for a toll fee with that cheap highway?

absinthe_888

March 26th, 2009, 04:48 AM

^^ JICA and JBIC funded the construction of the STAR tollway so we have to pay them :lol:

lat42

March 26th, 2009, 06:35 AM

^^ JICA and JBIC funded the construction of the STAR tollway so we have to pay them :lol:
JICA funded only the STAR Stage I, (Sto. Tomas to Lipa City). Then SIDC upgraded this to an expressway and continued the construction of Stage 2 (Lipa City to Batangas City)

sushi___

March 26th, 2009, 07:08 AM

How could they ask for a toll fee with that cheap highway?

STAR is not cheap its even better than SLEx,

lat42

March 26th, 2009, 07:24 AM

End of STAR and start of SLEX (still under construction)
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv265/lturgo/1238044615.jpg
Columns for the new bridge to connect SLEX to STAR
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv265/lturgo/1238044138.jpg

Lucentino

March 26th, 2009, 09:13 PM

sushi___

March 27th, 2009, 03:15 AM

^Thanks for the update @lat42... Yes, those columns are for the SLEx-STAR interchange.

This interchange is located about 6-8km from the existing end of SLEx at Calamba(Turbina).

Previously, and according to @Wilhelm, SLEx TR3 includes an extension towards Laguna (Alaminos), which is about 7km long from this interchange. I hope this is still included in the plan at this point.

ah ayan pala yung nakita ko na gngawa nung dumaan ako ng weekend ng gabi... so parang 24/7 din pala ito... gloria legacy hinahabol din

boroyski

March 27th, 2009, 06:05 AM

^Thanks for the update @lat42... Yes, those columns are for the SLEx-STAR interchange.

This interchange is located about 6-8km from the existing end of SLEx at Calamba(Turbina).

Previously, and according to @Wilhelm, SLEx TR3 includes an extension towards Laguna (Alaminos), which is about 7km long from this interchange. I hope this is still included in the plan at this point.

From end of SLEx to Sto. Tomas is about 5 Kms, and from Sto.Tomas to Alaminos is about 18 Kms. Saan dadaan yan? Tatagos ba ng Mt. Makiling ang TR3?

wheel of steel

March 27th, 2009, 09:17 AM

^Thanks for the update @lat42... Yes, those columns are for the SLEx-STAR interchange.

This interchange is located about 6-8km from the existing end of SLEx at Calamba(Turbina).

Previously, and according to @Wilhelm, SLEx TR3 includes an extension towards Laguna (Alaminos), which is about 7km long from this interchange. I hope this is still included in the plan at this point.

Im very positive that this will serve as a ramp from National Highway to STAR-SLEX and at the same time, bridge above the PNR Batangas Line... The interchanged will be located somewhere 1 km from that bridge.

lim803

March 27th, 2009, 10:06 AM

Im very positive that this will serve as a ramp from National Highway to STAR-SLEX and at the same time, bridge above the PNR Batangas Line... The interchanged will be located somewhere 1 km from that bridge.

Sir kelan po sisimulan tong Batangas Line? Ano po ang route nito?

Lucentino

March 27th, 2009, 04:18 PM

Here is my concept of SLEx TR3 based on a comment from @Wilhelm on a previous thread:

The TR3 (15 km) in Red. The Interchange at 6-8km from current end of SLEx.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7702/slextr3.jpg

prozac_guy

March 28th, 2009, 02:16 AM

nice

wheel of steel

March 28th, 2009, 05:31 AM

Sir kelan po sisimulan tong Batangas Line? Ano po ang route nito?

Sisimulan na rin yan matapos ang Bicol Rehabilitation this year.

firebar10

March 28th, 2009, 12:13 PM

Sisimulan na rin yan matapos ang Bicol Rehabilitation this year.

Sir WoS, ngyon ko lang nalaman to ah. totoo ba na i restore ang Batangas rail line. Sensya na kung out of place question ko ha, na excite lang kasi ako nun nabasa yung restoration at rehab ng Batangas line.

wheel of steel

March 29th, 2009, 04:48 AM

Sir WoS, ngyon ko lang nalaman to ah. totoo ba na i restore ang Batangas rail line. Sensya na kung out of place question ko ha, na excite lang kasi ako nun nabasa yung restoration at rehab ng Batangas line.

Batangas to Calamba to Manila Port is PNR target for freight besuiness. Im sure they will focus on this after the Bicol Line. This is what PNR Manager Andal told reporters during his visit here in Naga City.

kalbongdad

March 29th, 2009, 03:27 PM

meron na bang pagbabago sa star tollways...humaba na ba....the last time i used it was years back....bagong mayor pa lang is ate vi sa lipa..

Lucentino

March 29th, 2009, 05:28 PM

^Lipa end is being continued to Batangas City. I believe a certain portion (or most of it) are 2 lanes, and will be expanded to 4 lanes 'later on'.

absinthe_888

March 30th, 2009, 04:40 AM

Batangas to Calamba to Manila Port is PNR target for freight besuiness. Im sure they will focus on this after the Bicol Line. This is what PNR Manager Andal told reporters during his visit here in Naga City.

very positive news indeed...nakita ko nga yung mga riles sa Lipa segment, literal na nilamon na ng mga squatters...important rail link as to minimize freight trucks using our roads, and a vital financial source of revenue for the PNR.

^Lipa end is being continued to Batangas City. I believe a certain portion (or most of it) are 2 lanes, and will be expanded to 4 lanes 'later on'.

yup, from Lipa City to Batangas City, 2 lanes lang sha, pero ROW has been acquired so that a 4 lane highway can easily be constructed...pati ata yung mga tulay meh porma na para di na mahirap in the future, not sure though gawa 2x palang ako nakakadaan sa segment na to at both were night time...laking ginhawa talaga nito, lalo na pag papunta ka ng Batangas Pier:)

absinthe_888

March 30th, 2009, 04:41 AM

JICA funded only the STAR Stage I, (Sto. Tomas to Lipa City). Then SIDC upgraded this to an expressway and continued the construction of Stage 2 (Lipa City to Batangas City)

Thanks for the information and correction:)

lat42

March 30th, 2009, 05:29 AM

very positive news indeed...nakita ko nga yung mga riles sa Lipa segment, literal na nilamon na ng mga squatters...important rail link as to minimize freight trucks using our roads, and a vital financial source of revenue for the PNR.

yup, from Lipa City to Batangas City, 2 lanes lang sha, pero ROW has been acquired so that a 4 lane highway can easily be constructed...pati ata yung mga tulay meh porma na para di na mahirap in the future, not sure though gawa 2x palang ako nakakadaan sa segment na to at both were night time...laking ginhawa talaga nito, lalo na pag papunta ka ng Batangas Pier:)

yah, thats correct. the additional 2 lanes sa northbound will be constructed once traffic improves. kasi right now maliit pa ang traffic kaya di pa siguro na construct yan. mahihirapan ang investor ma recover ang investment nila kung 2 carraigeway na agad ang gagawin nila

lat42

March 30th, 2009, 05:36 AM

hi guys, since summer time na. found a great beach resort at laiya. you can go there via the star tollway. ganda ng mga beaches.

if your on your way to lucena or bicol, you could also use this route para labas mo ay candelaria na. di ka na matraffic sa san pablo.

http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv265/lturgo/MaptoLaiyaviaSTAR2.jpg

absinthe_888

March 30th, 2009, 05:39 AM

^^ anung resort yan? I remember way back in 1998, 1st time ko mag Laiya, hindi pa sha ganung kadevelop, napakapangit pa ng kalsada...last yr pagpunta ko sementado na, meh Playa Laiya pa ang Landco...

lat42

March 30th, 2009, 10:45 AM

^^ anung resort yan? I remember way back in 1998, 1st time ko mag Laiya, hindi pa sha ganung kadevelop, napakapangit pa ng kalsada...last yr pagpunta ko sementado na, meh Playa Laiya pa ang Landco...

some of the beach resort that you will find in laiya are:
kabayan resort
balai resort
sigayan bay beach resort
triple g beach resort
sabangan beach resort
virgin beach resort
taramindu beach resort
aquatico beach resort
palm beach resort
coco grove beach resort
and many more

absinthe_888

March 30th, 2009, 10:56 AM

^^ hehehe...maganda sa Sabangan, pwede magdala na food and meh kitchen ang rooms. Sa Kabayan, bawal magdala ng food. Blue Coral naman, ang mahal. sorry OT na :lol:

Rodel

April 22nd, 2009, 10:23 PM

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/rhodel2000/Batangas/100_2273.jpg

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/rhodel2000/Batangas/100_2277.jpg

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/rhodel2000/Batangas/100_2279.jpg

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/rhodel2000/Batangas/100_2270.jpg

NicknameForLife

May 30th, 2009, 07:26 AM

Goku_25

May 30th, 2009, 08:36 AM

STAR TOLLWAY needs a major makeover......

MY RECOMMENDATIONS...
1. asphalt road..
2. big tollbooths... (huge traffic in Sto. Tomas tollbooth)
3. lights... (it very dark)

its a very huge budget but for the sake.. of our people especially when SLE-STAR Interchange opens... very huge traffic will come.....

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE QUEZON - BATANGAS COSTAL ROAD.....
DO YOU HAVE NEWS ABOUT THIS???

Hope SLTC should take STAR Tollway in order to be a part of SLEx. After they took over STAR Tollway, they should fix it completely. There are two lists recommendations from myself also:

Option 1:

1. Pave the entire stretch of STAR with high quality asphalt just like NLEx.
2. Make STAR Toll plazas like those in SLEx (Alabang-Calamba).
3. The road markings should be the same as in newly rehabilitated SLEx.

or

Option 2:

1. Reblock the entire Sto. Tomas-Lipa portion of STAR with high quality cement just like in Lipa-Batangas stretch so it will be smoother.
2. Make STAR Toll plazas like in SLEx, as mentioned in option 1.
3. The road markings should be the same as in SLEx.
4. replace the dilapidated tarmac shoulders on Sto. Tomas-Lipa stretch with new ones just like in Lipa-Batangas Stretch.

Arciga_01

May 30th, 2009, 09:33 AM

Wag na kayo umasa ng gaganda pa yan, this is DPWH we're talking about. DPHW, The MOST CORRUPT Philippine Agency..

NicknameForLife

May 30th, 2009, 02:15 PM

option 2 ang maganda... ngunit..... tama ang sinabi ni arcida....

tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk...

sigurado ako mangyayari yan pero matanda na tyo bago pa mag rehab ang STAR.....

natatandaan ko pa noong unang bukas ang STAR hehe
2 lanes palang siya.... maputik ang maganda pa ang daan...

but iam proud sa STAR tollways... kasi sa expressways na nakita ko....

STAR is the most greenest expressway sa PINAS (but if SLEX plant some trees... it make more greener...)

JUST THINK POSITIVE TO THE GOVERNMENT!! LALO NA MATATAPOS ANG DYNASTY NI GMA....

Sky Harbor

May 30th, 2009, 06:02 PM

^^ You mean legacy of GMA, right? ;)

Deus Ex

May 30th, 2009, 06:25 PM

Look at the quality!Whew! That high way (STAR) looks like it was made in the damn 1930's for goodness sake! If there's two very important things they could do to improve it, they could add lighting and they could asphalt the entire stretch. Those two things alone can make it worthy enough to be posted in the main infra forums.

Mithril Cloud

May 30th, 2009, 06:27 PM

STAR probably really is the greenest expressway... due to overgrowth.

Deus Ex

May 30th, 2009, 06:32 PM

STAR probably really is the greenest expressway... due to overgrowth.

Man, just look at the grass. It's climbing out the sides of the road. Well, they could keep it cut but I guess whoever's in charge is too lazy to keep the road and it's sorroundings maintained.

NicknameForLife

May 31st, 2009, 03:21 AM

^^ You mean legacy of GMA, right? ;)

Yup

STAR probably really is the greenest expressway... due to overgrowth.

Hindi lng nmn yun eh maraming punong nakapalibot dito...

============================================================

FOR GOD SAKE.....

STAR TOLLWAY IS ALSO THE MOST DANGEROUS EXPRESSWAY

JUST FIND IT ON YOUTUBE....
CARS RUN @ 100 KPH AND ABOVE :ohno:
============================================================

WLA KA MAKIKITANG MGA PATROLLING CARS....
MADALIM ANG ILAW
D ASPHALT ANG DAAN
WLA KA MAKIKITANG SHOULDER DAHIL PURO NA DAMO
WLANG SIGNAGES

============================================================

KAHIT HINDI ITO GAWIN NI GMA KAHIT SI VILMA NA LANG ANG GUMAWA NITO....
LALO NA AT INTERCONNECT ANG SLE AT STAR..... NAKU PO.....

WLA LALO DADAAN DYAN.....

MAS MAGANDA PANG SA HiWAY KA NA LNG DUMAAN
MAS TIPID KA PA....

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:
ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES

NAKATAMEME NA LNG AKO DYAN..

TAGA BATANGAS PA NMN AKO

NicknameForLife

May 31st, 2009, 03:39 AM

I HAVE A MAP... OF THE NLEX-SKYWAY-SLEX(including STAR)

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss236/NicknameForLife/PH.jpg

RED (MAROON) - SKYWAY 12.17 KMS
YELLOW- NLEX 78.98 KMS
BLACK - SLEX (w/ STAR) 91.58 KMS

SCTEX (not included in the map ) 93.77 KMS
I WILL BECOME HAPPY IF SLEX-STAR CONNECTS... IT WILL BECOME THE 2nd LONGEST EXPRESSWAY IN THE PHILIPPINES

:applause:

barrera_marquez

May 31st, 2009, 10:01 AM

NicknameForLife

May 31st, 2009, 10:02 AM

hindi nmn hehe.... pinagmamalaki ko lng kasi eh

NicknameForLife

June 1st, 2009, 06:36 AM

Tanauan Area lang ang pinaka-maintained...
pero yung Sto.Tomas Area... yung ang malala...
dun mo talaga makikita na walang nagaalala sa lagay ngayon ng STAR,,
PURO DAMO!!!!!!!!!!!!

8365079057

June 4th, 2009, 06:48 AM

shelby (http://shelby.blogoweb.com/)makayla (http://makayla.blogoweb.com/)grace (http://grace.blogoweb.com/)emma (http://emma.blogoweb.com/)victoria (http://victoria.blogoweb.com/)

NicknameForLife

June 17th, 2009, 10:48 AM

is there any updates of the bridge that will connect SLEX-STAR..???
yung nasa may tollgate?

mach_5

July 5th, 2009, 07:20 AM

Dear Madam President,

PLEASE ACCEPT MY PROPOSAL.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1281/ph1o.jpg

NicknameForLife

July 5th, 2009, 09:54 AM

^^
first:
Lucena - Batangas Expressway = meron na po yan pero hindi expressway....
Batangas Quezon Costal Road ang pangalan

second:
some of the expressways you prefered are not important

third:
Cavite - Batangas Expressway = hindi yan matutuloy... why?
Cavite - Laguna Expressway ang papalit dyan =)

fourth:
NorthEast expressway = meron yan pero hindi yan ang exact route...

fifth:
NorthWest Expressway = 1. North Diversion Road...
2. Roman Expressway (Bataan Expressway)

sixth: Infanta - Marikina Expressway = C-6 (believe me)

sorry but some of the projects will be just a "dream" but i like your concept =)
thanks for posting this

Rodel

July 11th, 2009, 11:20 AM

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/rhodel2000/Batangas/100_2273.jpg

Arciga_01

July 11th, 2009, 01:18 PM

Mukang napabayaan un road condition.

NicknameForLife

July 12th, 2009, 05:34 AM

^^ wala na talaga tayong magagawa.....
wla na tayong mapapala....

igor09

July 12th, 2009, 03:52 PM

Mahal na rin ngayon ang toll fee dito huh,.. parang hindi sulit ung bayad mo pag dumaan ka d2...:cheers:

Lucentino

July 12th, 2009, 04:40 PM

^Be optimistic my friends... rehab of this major CALABARZON artery is looming on the horizon. :)

igor09

July 12th, 2009, 05:44 PM

un po palang bagong gawa papuntang batangas city ay nagmerge ung lane? tempo lang ba un o ganun na talaga?:cheers:

NicknameForLife

July 13th, 2009, 10:25 AM

^^ tempo lang po un....
ganun talaga ung una munang part tapos pa tapos susunod naman =)

absinthe_888

July 13th, 2009, 03:08 PM

un po palang bagong gawa papuntang batangas city ay nagmerge ung lane? tempo lang ba un o ganun na talaga?:cheers:

temp lang sa ngayon. gagagwin din shang 2 lanes going both directions pag naabot na nya yung traffic projections. madali na naman yun gawa meh ROW na at ok na din ata yung mga tulay.

step22

July 18th, 2009, 12:18 PM

Hi this is my first post...
Toll fee at STAR is too expensive considering the condition of their roads. Very uncomfortable.
When will be the link of STAR and SLEX completed? any updates?

FrancisXavier

July 18th, 2009, 03:40 PM

mas okey pa sa national highway dumaan papuntang batangas after Lipa. mas bumpy pa ata tong star.

NicknameForLife

July 19th, 2009, 05:46 AM

^^ tlga....

may nakausap akong tao...
sabi nia...
wla pakinabang ang STAR...
wlang traffic sa Hi-way...
bumpy pa ang roads d2....

hindi ka daw mapapamura...
pero magmumura ka.. sa sobrang dismayado sa STAR

step22

July 19th, 2009, 08:33 AM

mach_5

July 19th, 2009, 09:00 AM

Bumpy talaga ang STAR tollway kasi concrete ang pavement nya, hindi asphalt.

absinthe_888

July 19th, 2009, 01:01 PM

Lucentino

July 19th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Hi this is my first post...
Toll fee at STAR is too expensive considering the condition of their roads. Very uncomfortable.
When will be the link of STAR and SLEX completed? any updates?

Welcome here @step22

mas okey pa sa national highway dumaan papuntang batangas after Lipa. mas bumpy pa ata tong star.

^^ tlga....

may nakausap akong tao...
sabi nia...
wla pakinabang ang STAR...
wlang traffic sa Hi-way...
bumpy pa ang roads d2....

hindi ka daw mapapamura...
pero magmumura ka.. sa sobrang dismayado sa STAR

I myself experienced first-hand the bumpy and uneveness of some parts of this road... So this appears to be a bad decision or a white elephant of the Ramos admin... the money should have been spent to extend the SLEx towards Bicol instead, where a bigger population, industries (agricultural) and land area could have directly benefited... :sly:

wheel of steel

July 19th, 2009, 05:37 PM

Welcome here @step22

I myself experienced first-hand the bumpy and uneveness of some parts of this road... So this appears to be a bad decision or a white elephant of the Ramos admin... the money should have been spent to extend the SLEx towards Bicol instead, where a bigger population, industries (agricultural) and land area could have directly benefited... :sly:

Correct, in fact they should have build first interchange. Ang kaso, nauna pa yung section ng Sto. Tomas to Batangas before the establishment of the interchange. :lol:

Tingin tuloy ng mga motorist, yung expressway na papunta ng Lucena at Bicol ay arterial road. :lol:

Tol, do you have any idea on how this interchange in Sto. Tomas would look like. Ang taggal ko ng analyzie hindi ko ma plot. Lito ako sa mga nakita kong pier sa picture na napost dito before. do you have self rendering on this?

Lucentino

July 19th, 2009, 05:47 PM

wheel of steel

July 19th, 2009, 06:07 PM

Blank wall din ako dito tol. Basta ang alam ko na ang plano, mula sa dulo ng SLEx (Brgy. Turbina, Calamba) ay gagawa sila ng SLEx extension (10-12kms) towards Alaminos, Laguna. Bago dumating ang dulo ng extension na ito (mga 8kms from Brgy. Turbina), magkakaron ng Interchange/Exit para maikabit ang simula ng STAR.

Mukhang di na mangyayari ang SLEx to Bicol sa tanangbuhay natin 'tol. Di bale, may PNR naman tayo! :)

Di na bale, at least umabot man lang ng Pagbilao or Atimonan para iwas na sa Bitukang Manok (Zigzag Road).

Meron meng balita, di ba nacancel yung TR4. Iaaward na lang daw sa iba yun pero di nangangahulugang hihintayin pang matapos ang TR3. Before end this year malalaman kung sino ang winning bidder at immediately bibgyan ng Notice to Proceed.

Lucentino

July 19th, 2009, 06:15 PM

^Cancelled nga ang SLEx-TR4. At wala akong alam na pinapa-rebid na ito (merun bang posts sa website or newspapers?). Pero sana nga matuloy na before end of year. (I hope maraming contractor ang magkaron ng interes dito sa kabila ng napakalaking balakid ng pulitika at red tape)

At sana nga hindi nabago ang plano na sinabi ko para sa SLEx-TR3 extension & connection to STAR.

wheel of steel

July 19th, 2009, 06:18 PM

absinthe_888

July 20th, 2009, 04:05 AM

^^ Kung tuloy ang TR4 (Sana talaga!) eh sa DMCI na ibigay to nang madali ang trabaho.

boroyski

July 20th, 2009, 06:18 AM

Mas gusto ko Jonh Holland or Kajima/Obayashi JV. :okay:

niknok

July 31st, 2009, 06:12 PM

oo bumpy talaga lalo na sa ride ko low profile gulong kaya matagtag. wala na talaga traffic sa old highway unless rush hour talaga at labasan sa mga industrial parks.
P29 sto tomas to lipa. too expensive. it really needs rehabilitation.

Bakit kayo nagrereklamo sa P29.00, e ilang km. ba yang sto.tomas to batangas city?

Sa Manila-Cavite Coastal road nga P22.00 for 7km., tapos madalas pa trapik.

Tapos di pa malaman kung kailan tatapusin ang extension to kawit.

absinthe_888

August 10th, 2009, 05:43 AM

SLEX-STAR Bridge, taken 08.08.09. Sorry pangit ang picture. Basically parang tapos na tong bridge sa observation ko.

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6453/dsc01088l.jpg

step22

August 10th, 2009, 05:52 AM

^^^ just passed by kahapon i think matatagalan pa yan. bridge lang po ang yari. parang may nabasa me dati na ang date of completion ay Dec 2009 pero i doubt if kaya.

absinthe_888

August 10th, 2009, 05:55 AM

Ayun nga po ang sabi ko, ang bridge na ang yari, not the entire SLEX-STAR connection. :) Yun nga ang target date, Dec. 2009, nakalagay din sa tarpaulin bago dun sa brdige construction ng FSI. Pero kaya nga ba talaga?

step22

August 10th, 2009, 05:56 AM

Bakit kayo nagrereklamo sa P29.00, e ilang km. ba yang sto.tomas to batangas city?

Sa Manila-Cavite Coastal road nga P22.00 for 7km., tapos madalas pa trapik.

Tapos di pa malaman kung kailan tatapusin ang extension to kawit.

P29 po up to lipa lang i think mga 20+ kms. mahal kasi sa condition ng road at service.

step22

August 10th, 2009, 05:57 AM

absinthe_888

August 10th, 2009, 05:59 AM

^^ :lol: Pero for sure, hahapitin na yan bago mag June 30, 2010. Meron tayo kapwa SSC forumer who works on the SLEX-STAR connection pero matagal na shang di nasilip dito.

lochinvar

August 31st, 2009, 06:44 PM

Are there any new development here? Ginagawa na baga ang kabilang side o one side pa rin ang inaasikaso?

NicknameForLife

September 26th, 2009, 02:49 PM

absinthe_888

September 26th, 2009, 03:03 PM

^^ UPDATE LANG PO SA STAR TOLLWAY:

WAG NA PO MUNA TAYONG DUMAAN DITO DAHIL MARAMING NAGSASABING LUBOG PO ANG IBANG PARTE NG STAR TOLLWAY.... KARAMIHAN AY STRANDED SA PART NG STO. TOMAS EXIT..... KONTING INGAT LANG PO!!! =)

Ala eh, ako'y na stranded sa meh Sto. Tomas town proper (sa meh Rose and Grace Bulalo)...impassable ang national highway gawa sa baha...tapos papunta akong Turbina, naisip ko bigla mag STAR tollway exit sa Tanauan iikot papuntang Alaminos - San Pablo...Whew! Buti nakauwi ng safe...

NicknameForLife

September 26th, 2009, 03:10 PM

^^ ahaha,,,, ok na pala.....

ang Sto. Tomas ang pinaka-apektado sa lahat ... kasi karamihan sa barangay sa Sto, Tomas (iam from Tanauan)... BAHA... GUD NEWS: karamihan sa Sto. Tomas may mga farm... nalunod lahat ng manok.... AMIN na lahat:nuts::nuts::lol::lol:

hehe

basta... Maharlika Highway... (from Sto. Tomas - Turbina) flooded.....

absinthe_888

September 26th, 2009, 03:29 PM

^^ Kaya ako nastranded gawa ng mga baha sa Sto. Tomas at Turbina. Grabe baha eh. Asa loob nko ng Rose and Grace binaha padin loob.

Eh kanina kz entrance ng STAR baha nadin ayoko pilitin...bumalik ako eh mas mattas na yung tubig sa meh Jollibee area. Meh bumangga pang jeep sa Shell...

Ayun nung nag recede na floodwater sa STAR entry pumasok nako. Wala nga ako mashado nakasalubong na jeep at ibang sasakyan sa Tanauan hanggang makauwi ako sa Elbi, stranded kz. Kahit mga jip papauntang Sta. Cruz - San Pablo, sa Alaminos nadaan.

bluesgnt30

September 28th, 2009, 02:04 AM

naninani

September 28th, 2009, 03:10 AM

NicknameForLife

September 28th, 2009, 04:43 AM

^^ ang alam ko dati nang merong line ng PNR sa Batangas.... dito sa amin... may mga natitirang tracks ng Batangas Line ang problema... d na ito mapakikinabangan at maraming sqatters..... ewan ko kung bubuhayin muli....

step22

November 11th, 2009, 11:24 AM

ano na balita sa star tollway matagal na me hindi nakakadaan dito? updates sa link ng star sa slex naman dyan.

NicknameForLife

November 13th, 2009, 10:04 AM

^^ wla pa ako naaabutan na update eh parang natabunan na ng gabok... hehe
ung iba.. d nyo na ba nadadaanan ito??

absinthe_888

November 13th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Tapos na yung tulay sa meh dulo ng SLEX. Asphalt overlaying sa southbound lane at iniba na ang proma going to Calamba to accommodate the linking of that bridge to SLEX.

ryan12

November 13th, 2009, 03:38 PM

picture nmn po jan...pls

balay_1

November 30th, 2009, 11:08 PM

Aksidente sa STAR o Southern Arterial Road.

2 dead, 4 injured in Batangas Star Tollway mishap (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/30/09/2-dead-4-injured-batangas-star-tollway-mishap)

by Arnell Ozaeta, ABS-CBN News Southern Tagalog | 11/30/2009 1:31 PM

BATANGAS – Two people were killed while 4 others were injured when their vehicle slammed into a passenger bus along the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway in Ibaan town Sunday morning, authorities said.

Carlito America, STAR Tollway’s chief security officer, identified the fatalities as Rene Cairo, 57, and Ruben Delavin. Both victims were residents of Dagat-dagatan, Caloocan City.

America said Rene died on the spot while Delavin died while being treated at the Batangas Regional Hospital (BRH).

Those injured, namely Bernardo Sabado, Raphael Almeron, Mitch Abalos, and John Gerson Gunida, were rushed to BRH for treatment.

The casualties were all passengers of a Tamaraw FX with plate No. UDK-589.

According to reports, the Tamaraw FX, being driven by Danilo Cairo, was traversing the Star Tollway going to Batangas from Manila when its back tire exploded.

The vehicle reportedly swerved to the opposite lane and collided with a Batangas-bound ALPS Bus (DWB-239) upon reaching KM 98 in Barangay Quilo around 10:30 a.m.

Due to the strong impact, America said the Tamaraw FX was thrown 60 meters away from the highway.

“Tumatakbo daw sila ng 100 kilometers per hour nang bigla na lang sumabog ang gulong nila,” America said.

Bus driver Gregorio Cortas and Danilo were brought to Ibaan police station for questioning. Police said the two drivers might be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries.