The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on Friday, March 18, that it has increased its manpower and accelerated the road widening activities of the Arterial (Plaridel) Bypass Road in Bulacan.
According to DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Emil K. Sadain, the widening of 24.61-kilometer road from two lanes to four will result in faster delivery of local goods of Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley Region to Metro Manila.
“The construction of two additional road lanes as the ultimate stage of Arterial Plaridel Bypass Road will alleviate the slow movement of the increasing volume of vehicles on the existing two-way two-lane bypass road,” Sadain said in a statement.
He also instructed the contractors and consultants to ensure sufficient provision of road construction barricades around the work zones to increase safety for workers, motorists, and pedestrians, during his inspection on March 16.
According to the department, the project covers the construction of seven short bridges with a total length of 241 meters (m), two flyovers, 10 underpasses, drainage facilities, and slope protection works, installation of road signs, kilometer posts, guardrails, and pavement markings.
The ongoing road widening, implemented by the DPWH-UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 (Bilateral) headed by Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista, is under the third phase of the project funded by a loan agreement between the government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
For safety purposes, the DPWH has assured the compliance of contractors and workers with the construction and health safety guidelines imposed by the government.