Bulacan leaders jointly bolster NLEX-DPWH road expansion plans
Leaders in the province of Bulacan have thrown their full support for the road network expansion plans drawn by both NLEX Corporation (NLEX) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as they pushed for new access roads in order to ease traffic congestion and improve travel convenience in Bulacan and beyond.
At the Conference, jointly organized by tollway firm NLEX Corporation and the DPWH Regional office, NLEX highlighted the proposed road network improvements around the Bocaue area in Bulacan. It also cited the agreement of dialogue participants to hold regular meetings and implement close coordination at every phase of implementation.
“The implementation of these road projects will significantly contribute to the decongestion of the Bocaue Interchange and Gov. Halili Avenue in Bocaue and Santa Maria, Bulacan,” said Bulacan 2nd District Representative Gavini “Apol” Pancho.
Bulacan province has been instrumental in the thriving economy of Central Luzon – the country’s second fastest growing region which, according to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), posted a 9.5% increase in its gross regional domestic product in 2016.
Among the road network improvements proposed by NLEX together with DPWH are the new NLEX access via Tambubong, a new Bocaue Interchange Bypass Southbound Entry, the expansion of the existing Bocaue Interchange ramps, the development of the full Balagtas interchange. Opening a direct access road within the Ciudad de Victoria leading to Gov. Halili Avenue in Santa Maria, Bulacan is also in the works.
Representatives from government agencies and local government units expressed support for these new road projects viewed to encourage economic growth, improve public services, and provide motorists and commuters with maximum travel convenience and safety.
“The new road improvements are necessary to make Bulacan province more vibrant and attractive to potential investors,” said CIBAC Party-list Representative Sherwin Tugna during the project presentation.
Likewise, DPWH Central Luzon Regional Director Dong Tolentino declared that the agency was prepared to support the road network expansion along the NLEX leading to the national roads to further developthe growth of local businesses in the province.
To help alleviate heavy traffic conditions at the current Bocaue Interchange, priority will be given to a new southbound entry ramp in Brgy. Taal and northbound entry and exit ramps will be constructed at Brgy. Tambubong. The future Interchange will serve as an alternative route for motorists bound for Pandi, Bulacan.
Lawyer Romulo S. Quimbo, NLEX senior vice president for communication and stakeholder management, said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to be able to better understand the situation on the ground specially around the Bocaue interchange.”
“We gained valuable inputs from our stakeholders and we at NLEX are committed to undertake the road network improvements together with the DPWH in our joint effort further improve the daily traffic situation,” Quimbo added.
A new access road will also be built from Gov. F. Halili Avenue in Brgy. Turo to the southbound portion near the Bocaue Toll Plaza. With this new bypass, motorists coming from the west side of the NLEX will have an alternate route via the NLEX to Manila without passing through the heavily-traveled Bocaue Interchange.
The ramps of the Bocaue Interchange will be expanded to accommodate the additional lanes at the bridge currently being constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Balagtas Interchange will also get a boost from the construction of new northbound and southbound access roads. Motorists coming from Balagtas will no longer need to use local roads to use the Sta. Rita interchange. Eventually, motorists from the northwill also be able to exit at Balagtas southbound instead of using theBocaue interchange.