(Eagle News) – The Philippine government inaugurated on Tuesday, Nov. 26, the P260.8 million Ciudad de Victoria Interchange Overpass and Bypass Road in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar led the inauguration of the government priority project, a few days before the 30th SEA Games opening ceremonies at the Philippine Arena on Nov. 30.
The Ciudad de Victoria Interchange Overpass Bridge and Bypass Road “will address the usual heavy traffic situation and queuing of vehicles entering the Bocaue interchange to reduce travel time to the town of Sta Maria, Bulacan from the usual 50 minutes to 15 minutes via Ciudad de Victoria,” according to a DPWH statement.
Villar said that the construction of the bypass road and bridge which started January this year was fast-tracked in time for the opening ceremony of the 30th SEA Games on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at the Philippine Arena which is considered as one of the largest mixed-use indoor facilities in the world.
The interchange and overpass bypass road has a four-lane road and a four-lane overpass bridge crossing North Luzon Expressway. It has an interchange ramp with a net length of 757.33 l.m. and 42.80 l.m. concrete bridge to be used by vehicles exiting and entering the North Luzon Expressway.
Villar said that this project is expected to resolve traffic congestion problems at the Bocaue Interchange as well as at the perennially congested Governor F. Halili Road in Bocaue Bulacan, and further improve significantly the travel time as a result of an increase in road capacity.
“With our anticipation on the volume of vehicles and traffic jams during the opening ceremony, the bypass road shall provide ease of transport to delegates who will be competing for the pride of their respective countries,” Villar said.
Scope of works include concreting of four-lane road, construction of 80.80-linear meter overpass bridge crossing North Luzon Expressway, and acceleration/deceleration lane with 42.80-linear meter concrete bridge and 757-linear meter road.
The P260-million project was funded under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and implemented by the DPWH Regional Office 3 under the leadership of regional Director Roseller Tolentino.
“With the opening of the Ciudad Interchange Overpass and Bypass Road, motorists are now provided with an alternate road avoiding heavily congested routes leading to and coming from the biennial meet opening rites venue.” Tolentino said.
The ceremonial opening of the road project was also attended by Senators Joel Villanueva and Francis Tolentino; Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando; Representatives Apol Pancho, Miro Quimbo, Alfred Vargas, Feliciano Belmonte, Precious Hipolito Castelo, and Mike Defensor; Atty. GP Santos of Maligaya Development Corporation; DPWH Assistant Secretary Eugenio Pipo Jr. and Region 3 Director Roseller Tolentino; Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva, Sta Maria Mayor Russel Pleyto, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian; DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara and Asst. District Engineer Aris Ramos; and NLEX officials.
“Efficient roadways and increased road capacity will do a great deal in the success of the opening rites for the Philippines hosting of biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the 11 countries of Southeast Asia”, Villar added.
The Ciudad de Victoria Interchange Overpass and Bypass Road is considered a “game changing project,” the DPWH chief said.
“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,” the DPWH said in a statement.
