MANILA -- Construction of two (2) more road lanes for the Arterial Road (Plaridel) Bypass Project in the Province of Bulacan are in motion towards the increasing of traffic performance and road capacity.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, in his report to Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, said that two (2) contractors are working at the same time on the widening from two (2) lanes to four (4) lanes for the ultimate stage of the 23.36-kilometer Arterial Road (Plaridel) Bypass Project to reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility.

Starting off in Barangay Borol, Balagtas at station 34 + 900 to Barangay Maasim, San Rafael at station 57 + 366, Phase 3 of Arterial Road (Plaridel) Bypass Project 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.

Secretary Bonoan said that 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.

As development activities for the P5.26 Billion Arterial Road (Plaridel) Bypass Project Phase 3 funded by loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) continue to progress, motorists using the existing bypass road are warned to proceed with caution through the multiple construction zones and be aware of signage, men at work, and equipment.

During his inspection on August 12, 2022, Senior Undersecretary 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 and consultants as equipment and workers perform activities adjacent to the roadway with temporary lane closures and/or periodic traffic stoppages needed to allow work to occur.

The stretch under contract packages (CPs) 1 and 2 awarded to C.M. Pancho Construction Inc. involves the construction of 12.27 kilometer two (2)-lane concrete road from Barangay Tiaong, Guiguinto to Barangay Bonga Menor, Bustos.

CP 1 and CP 2, with combined accomplishment of 31 percent and targetted for completion by 2023 3rd quarter, also covers the construction of seven (7) short bridges with total length of 260 meters, two (2) flyovers, ten (10) underpass, drainage faciliities, and slope protection works including provision of miscellaneous activities such as installation of road signs, kilometer posts, guardrails, and pavement markings.

Also on-going at 79 percent and targetted for completion by 2023 first quarter is contract package 4 under Sino Road & Bridge Group Company Ltd. that covers the 7.70 kilometer widening from station 49 + 625 in Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael to station 57 + 365 at the Philippines - Japan Friendship Highway or Daang Maharlika Highway in Barangay Maasim, San Rafael.

Contruction of a 318 meter Flyover No. 4 that is 64 percent completed at the intersection along Kalsadang Bago in San Rafael is also part of contract package 4.

The widening of 2.22 kilometer section under contract package 3 including the 1.12 kilometer Angat Bridge was earlier completed in year 2021.

DPWH has also started working on the rehabilitation/replacement of damaged concrete on intermittent section of the paved road completed under the project’s phase 1 and 2, added Senior Undersecretary Sadain.

The high increase in number of vehicles using the Arterial Road (Plaridel) Bypass Project including heavy loaded trucks that are restricted to pass NLEX Candaba Viaduct significantly resulted to more pavement distress at critical locations. (DPWH)