The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is fast-tracking the implementation of a priority infrastructure project towards further improvement of access and increased economic activity in the eastern part of the Province of Bulacan.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain said that manpower and equipment of two civil work contractors are working full blast on the construction of additional two lanes for the final stage of the 22.46-kilometer Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase 3 or most commonly known as Plaridel Bypass Road.
“The traversed area has transformed into commercial and industrial centers creating jobs for the people of Bulacan and adjacent province of Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon.”
“The construction of two new westbound travel lanes from NLEX at Barangay Burol, Balagtas to Barangay Maasim, San Rafael will bring trickling economic benefits especially that the traversed area has transformed into commercial and industrial centers creating jobs for the people of Bulacan and adjacent province of Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon,” Sadain explained.
“The 7.74-kilometer contract package 4 which is more than 96 percent and will be completed by April 2023.”
Sadain, in-charge of DPWH flagship projects under the “Build Better More” program, inspected the road widening and noted significant progress particularly at the 7.74- kilometer contract package 4 which is more than 96 percent and will be completed by April 2023.
Also present at the inspection are Project Director Benjamin Bautista and Project Managers Basilio Elumba and Hermie Sablan of DPWH Unified Project Management Office-Roads Management Cluster 1 (Bilateral).
Other than concrete paving works with a thickness of 35-centimeter on a 20-centimeter cement treated base, contract package 4 under Sino Road and Bridge Group Co. Ltd. also involves the construction of single span 37-meter Bridge No. 8 and a 318-meter Flyover No. 4.
Both the bridge and flyover are substantially completed after interventions were made to resolve the problems encountered by the project particularly on the hauling of aggregates and other construction materials.
Meanwhile, contractor CM Pancho Construction Inc. was urged to expedite the construction works for the 12.5-kilometer contract packages 1 and 2 by taking advantage of favorable weather conditions with simultaneous implementation of activities on different sites.
More than 7.7-kilometer or about 61 percent of the portland concrete cement paving works for contract packages 1 and 2 is already completed to date.
Similar to concrete paving works for the additional 2 lanes with carriageway width of 7 meters in contract package 4, contract packages 1 and 2 to be completed by February 2024 also includes construction of seven moderate/short bridges with a net length of 260 meters, two overpass/flyover, extension of 10 concrete box underpass for farm equipment and animal crossing, 13 reinforced concrete box culvert, and 16 at-grade intersections.
Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase 3 is funded by a loan agreement number PH-P266 between the Government of the Philippines (GOP) and Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
