MALOLOS CITY — The ongoing expansion works at the 24.61 kilometer-Arterial Road Bypass in Bulacan is now being fast-tracked by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
DPWH is trying to move forward as quickly as possible to accelerate delivery of the widening from two to four lanes. The project, now at 47.8 percent, spans the entire alignment of Plaridel Bypass Road to keep up with the increasing number of vehicles.
“The road expansion project will address traffic woes of motoring public triggered by steady growth in number of vehicles including heavy trucks using the bypass road as alternate route to Daang Maharlika Highway,” DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain explained.
“Funded by the Government of the Philippines and Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency Loan Agreement No. PH-P266 financing, the Arterial Bypass Road Project Phase 3 as the final stage has enough road right of way space for additional two lanes since this was considered during the original planning and design phases,” he added.
The arterial road alignment traverses five municipalities namely Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Bustos and San Rafael bypassing the perennial traffic congestion at the core urban areas along Philippines – Japan Friendship Highway also called Maharlika Highway road section of Plaridel, Pulilan and Baliuag to San Rafael.
Widening of the first 2.22-kilometer section of Arterial Plaridel Bypass Road including one of Luzon’s longest bridge across Angat River in Bustos, Bulacan under Contract Package 3 was earlier completed in the first quarter of 2021.
Presently ongoing at 43% is Contract Package 4 from Sta. 49+625 in Bustos to Sta. 57+365.73 in San Rafael awarded to Sino Road & Bridge Group Co., Ltd.
This section, targeted for completion by January 2023, involves construction of 7.38 kilometer additional two lanes of portland concrete cement pavement (PCCP) road, a 36.86 meter-single span pre-stressed concrete deck girder bridge, 7 at-grade intersections, a 318.55 meter flyover at intersection, widening of drainage, slope protection and miscellaneous works.
Meanwhile, construction of additional two lanes for Contract Packages 1 and 2 from Sta. 34+900 in Burol, Balagtas to Sta. 47+400 in Bustos is also ongoing under contract with CM Pancho Construction, Inc.
These contract packages which was rolled-out in the first quarter of 2021 covers the PCCP of additional 2 lanes for the 11.82 kilometer-road with carriageway width of 7 meters, construction of seven short bridges with a total length of 260.62 meters, 2 overpass/flyovers, extension of 10 reinforced concrete box underpass for farm equipment and animal crossing, 16 at-grade intersections, drainage, slope protection and other miscellaneous works.
