STAR Tollway
Also known as: Southern Tagalog Arterial Road · STAR Tollway · STAR Expressway · E2
Definition
STAR Tollway, officially the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (designated as E2 of the Philippine expressway network), is a 42-kilometer (26 mi) access-controlled toll expressway in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It runs from the SLEX Susana Heights Interchange in Santo Tomas to the Batangas International Port in Batangas City. Operated by STAR Infrastructure Development Corporation, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the expressway serves as a vital logistics link connecting southern Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao via ferry routes, driving real estate values in Lipa and Batangas City. (Wikipedia, STAR Tollway Govt)
Identities
| Source Type | Identity |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Southern Tagalog Arterial Road |
| Wikidata | Q7570453 |
| DBpedia | Southern_Tagalog_Arterial_Road |
| ProductOntology | N/A |
| Wiktionary | N/A |
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) | N/A |
| MeSH | N/A |
| NCBI Taxonomy | N/A |
| AGROVOC | N/A |
| Google Scholar | Southern Tagalog Arterial Road STAR Tollway SMC E2 Batangas Port |
| ConceptNet | N/A |
| OpenCyc | N/A |
Also Known As
- Southern Tagalog Arterial Road
- STAR Tollway
- STAR Expressway
- E2
Examples and Analogies
- Lipa Exit: A major interchange on the STAR Tollway handling heavy daily commuter and cargo traffic to central Batangas.
- Batangas Port Terminus: The southern end of the expressway, linking directly to the country’s primary inter-island shipping gateway.
Usage Scenarios
1. Commuting from Batangas to Manila
A resident of Lipa drives through the STAR Tollway and SLEX to reach their office in the Makati CBD in 1.5 hours.
2. Developing a Logistics Warehouse near Port
A logistics firm acquires land close to the STAR Tollway Batangas City terminus to build a freight consolidation warehouse.
Strategies
- Target commercial retail and industrial warehouse developments near the Lipa and Santo Tomas exits to capture logistics traffic.
- Verify daily toll costs and RFIDs (Autosweep) before establishing business transit fleets.
Security and Safety Measures
- Adhere strictly to the speed limit rules (maximum 100 km/h) and check vehicle condition before driving.
- Ensure that properties near the expressway route do not violate DPWH zoning and easement limits.
Historical Context
The expressway was planned under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. Construction began in the 1990s. The first phase from Santo Tomas to Lipa opened in 2001. In 2008, the final section extending to Batangas City was completed and opened to the public. SMC acquired the tollway in the 2010s, integrating it into its regional tollway system, driving rapid industrialization of Batangas. (Wikipedia)
Challenges and Controversies
Toll Plaza Congestion
Commuters experience minor traffic congestion at the Santo Tomas exit plaza during peak weekend holiday rush hours.
High Development Density
The land surrounding the Batangas highway exits is highly developed, raising land acquisition costs for new developers.