MANILA -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday said it is fast-tracking the interchange project with road access connecting to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Bocaue, Bulacan in time for the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games next month.
According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, the completion of Ciudad De Victoria Interchange Overpass Bridge and Bypass Road worth over PHP200 million will provide direct access to the Philippine Arena, is being rushed before the regional sports event which is set from November 30 to December 11.
“With all girders for the 80 lineal meters overpass bridge crossing NLEX completely installed and the round-the-clock construction works for a 1.12 kilometer 4-lane bypass road connecting the Manila North Road and the Sta. Maria to Bocaue By-pass Road as part of the Ciudad De Victoria Interchange Project Phase 1, we will have better accessibility to Philippine Arena come SEA Games grand opening in November,” he said in a statement.
“The PHP260.8 Million Ciudad De Victoria Interchange Overpass bridge implemented by the DPWH Regional Office 3 headed by Regional Director Roseller Tolentino is envisioned to serve as an alternate road to the heavily-congested Governor F. Halili Road in Sta. Maria, Bulacan,” Villar added.
The project will also address the usual heavy traffic situation and queuing of vehicles entering the Bocaue interchange.
“To increase capacity to two-lane per direction and help alleviate traffic congestion along Governor F. Halili, the construction of additional lanes of the bridge structure at Bocaue Interchange is also on-going,” Villar said.
The ongoing second phase of the Ciudad De Victoria Interchange Project involves the construction of the southbound acceleration and deceleration lanes for vehicles going to Philippine Arena. The project is in partnership with NLEX Corporation.
“Eventually, a 1.91-kilometer road from MacArthur Highway to Bocaue Municipal will be improved and a 1.3-kilometer road from the Philippine Arena to the existing Patubig Road in Marilao, Bulacan will be constructed,” Villar said.
A huge turnout of visitors is expected at the opening ceremony of the biennial regional multi-sport event on November 30, 2019.
On the other hand, Villar reported that a southbound entry, as well as northbound entry and exit toll plazas, are being constructed at Barangay Tambubong, Bocaue.
The NLEX Tambubong Entrance/Exit Project of DPWH Region 3 and NLEX Corporation involves the construction of 3 connecting ramps with 20 meters average width on NLEX northbound entry with a length of 180.00 meters, 240.14 meters northbound exit, and 290 meters southbound entry.
“The Tambubong NLEX entry/exit project funded in the amount of PHP79 Million will reduce travel time and facilitates the opening up of more business opportunities for the Bulakeños,” he added. (PNA)
