The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now fast-tracking the widening of an arterial bypass road in Bulacan which is expected to reduce traffic congestion and promises faster mobility for the movement of goods from the Cagayan Valley Region to Metro Manila.
As the center of trading in Luzon, Metro Manila plays a key role for the agriculture producers to meet with the large number of consumers.
Once completed, DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan said the ₱5.26 Billion Arterial Road (Plaridel) Bypass Project Phase 3 would facilitate faster delivery of local goods and travel of motorists in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Cagayan Valley Region to Metro Manila.
Bonoan said the project involves the construction of two more road lanes for the Arterial Road (Plaridel) Bypass Project in the Province of Bulacan and the installation of new concrete box culverts and drainage structures, grade work and concrete paving, construction of bridges and flyovers, and slope protection and miscellaneous works.
The project is funded by loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K,. Sadain said the project implementors have already been instructed to to ensure that construction safety standards are fully complied by contractors and consultants as equipment and workers perform activities adjacent to the roadway with temporary lane closures and/or periodic traffic stoppages needed to allow work to occur.
The stretch under contract packages (CPs) 1 and 2 awarded to C.M. Pancho Construction Inc. involves the construction of 12.27 kilometer two (2)-lane concrete road from Barangay Tiaong, Guiguinto to Barangay Bonga Menor, Bustos.
CP 1 and CP 2, with combined accomplishment of 31 percent and targetted for completion by 2023 3rd quarter, also covers the construction of seven (7) short bridges with total length of 260 meters, two (2) flyovers, ten (10) underpass, drainage faciliities, and slope protection works including provision of miscellaneous activities such as installation of road signs, kilometer posts, guardrails, and pavement markings.
Also on-going at 79 percent and targetted for completion by 2023 first quarter is contract package 4 under Sino Road & Bridge Group Company Ltd. that covers the 7.70 kilometer widening from station 49 + 625 in Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael to station 57 + 365 at the Philippines - Japan Friendship Highway or Daang Maharlika Highway in Barangay Maasim, San Rafael.
Contruction of a 318 meter Flyover No. 4 that is 64 percent completed at the intersection along Kalsadang Bago in San Rafael is also part of contract package 4.
The widening of 2.22 kilometer section under contract package 3 including the 1.12 kilometer Angat Bridge was earlier completed in year 2021.
"The DPWH has also started working on the rehabilitation/replacement of damaged concrete on intermittent section of the paved road completed under the project’s Phase 1 and 2, " said Sadain.
The high increase in number of vehicles using the Arterial Road (Plaridel) Bypass Project including heavy loaded trucks that are restricted to pass NLEX Candaba Viaduct significantly resulted to more pavement distress at critical locations.