‘Plaridel Bypass’ project expected to further spur economic growth
BUSTOS, Bulacan (PNA) – Provincial officials are optimistic that the completion of the arterial road bypass project, also known as the “Plaridel Bypass,” will spur more growth and development in the north eastern part of the province.
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando were briefed by project engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during an on-site inspection of the project area in Barangay Malamig here.
Engineer Virgilio Castello, project director of the Road Management Cluster 1 of DPWH, said Phase 3 of the project is 70 percent complete and will be finished on June 27 this year, while Phase 4 will be completed in July 2018 or earlier.
Castello said the bypass road is an arterial road of 24.61 kilometers that will link the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) with the Philippines-Japan Friendship Highway, which is also known as the “Maharlika Highway,” that traverses the central part of Luzon.
“It will complete the remaining segments of the Plaridel Bypass Road in order to address the perennial traffic congestion at the core-centers and interconnection point of the NLEX with the Maharlika highway in Plaridel, Bulacan,” he explained.
Italian project engineer Guisseppe Mirabito, a project consultant from Switzerland-based Renardet S. A. Consulting Engineers, said Phase 3 of the project also include the 1.121 kilometers bridge that connects Phase 1 and 2 segments of the bypass road and will link the road from Barangay Malamig in this town to Barangay Maasim in San Rafael town by June 27, this year.
Central Luzon DPWH Regional Director Alfredo Molano said construction of the project is being done 24/7 and will be completed on time.
Once completed, Molano said travel distance will be shortened by about five kilometers.
“About 15,000 vehicles will be diverted to the Plaridel Bypass road, decongesting the nagging traffic at the Maharlika Highway,” Molano added.
Alvarado commended the fast work being undertaken by the project engineers.
“The work is on time. Once completed, it will usher more growth and development for Bulacan and the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila because it will boost tourism. Fast delivery of agriculture products to urban centers and open job opportunities,” the governor said.