DPWH fast-tracks by-pass road In Bulacan province

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now fast tracking the construction of two more road lanes at the arterial road in Plaridel, Bulacan.

DPWH Sen i o r Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, in his report to Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, said two contractors are working at the same time on the widening of the 23.36kilometer alternate road to reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility.

The road construction starts in Barangay Borol, Balagtas at station 34 + 900 to Barangay Maasim, San Rafael at station 57 + 366, Phase 3 of Plaridel Bypass Project which requires 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.

Bonoan said capacity augmentation by way of widening roads and bridges will not only provide more convenience to the travelling public but also facilitate faster delivery of local goods of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Cagayan Valley Region to Metro Manila.

During his inspection, Sadain instructed Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista and Project Managers Basilio Elumba and Hermie Sablan of the DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Roads Management Cluster 1 to ensure that construction safety standards are fully complied by contractors.

He said consultants as equipment and workers must perform activities adjacent to the roadway with temporary lane closures or periodic traffic stoppages needed to allow work to occur.

The high increase in the number of vehicles using the Plaridel bypass road including heavy loaded trucks that are restricted to pass NLEX Candaba Viaduct resulted to more pavement distress at critical locations.