Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway)

The Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway) serves as the vital expressway link between Metro Manila and Batangas province, extending 41.9 kilometers from Calamba to Batangas City. Opened in 2001, STAR Tollway transformed travel to Batangas by providing a high-speed alternative to the congested, two-lane national highway that previously took 3+ hours to traverse. The expressway is particularly crucial for two major traffic generators: cargo movement to Batangas Port (the country's second-busiest port handling domestic shipping to Mindoro and other islands) and tourist traffic to Batangas beaches, Anilao diving areas, and Puerto Galera (via Batangas Port ferries). STAR Tollway features four lanes traversing the agricultural heartland of Batangas province, passing through some of the country's most productive coffee-growing regions near Lipa. The expressway connects seamlessly with SLEX at Calamba, creating a continuous expressway route from Metro Manila to Batangas City covering 85 kilometers. Key exits serve Santo Tomas (emerging industrial area), Tanauan (gateway to historic Taal town with Spanish-era churches), Lipa City (Batangas' provincial capital and commercial center), and Batangas City (port area and industrial zone). The expressway has been instrumental in Batangas' economic development, supporting the growth of manufacturing, logistics, and tourism industries. During summer months and long weekends, STAR Tollway experiences heavy southbound traffic as Manila residents head to beach resorts in Anilao, Matabungkay, Laiya, and Nasugbu. The expressway operates 24/7 with modern safety features including emergency call boxes, regular patrols, and CCTV monitoring, using SMC's Autosweep RFID system for cashless toll collection.