DPWH widens Plaridel bypass road in Bulacan with two new lanes

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced the opening of a widened portion of the Arterial Bypass Road in San Rafael, Bulacan. With the addition of two new westbound lanes, the Plaridel Bypass Road now has four lanes constructed to cater to the increasing volume of traffic in the area.

DPWH adds two new westbound lanes in San Rafael, Bulacan

The construction of the project was assisted by Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Present at the inauguration of the new lanes were JICA Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto, DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, and Bulacan Vice-Governor Alexis C. Castro, among others.

The new portion of the Arterial Road Bypass Project under Phase 3 spans 7.64 km including a 36.86-meter single-span bridge and a 318-meter flyover. The widened portion now stretches 9.97 km with the 2.22-km contract package 3 including a bridge across the Angat River in Bustos.

The construction was said to start back in 2020 but several challenges such as the pandemic and right-of-way acquisition delayed the completion.

The new widened lanes aim to alleviate traffic in the area

DPWH aims to finish the ongoing contract packages 1 and 2 by the first half of 2024 – which covers the remaining 12.5 km of the project. As of this writing, the project is 64.28 percent completed.

According to the agency, the two new lanes are expected to boost industrialization and number of tourists, spurring the development of Bulacan and nearby areas of Central Luzon.

“The additional lanes provided will address traffic congestion and enhance economic activities of the entire Province of Bulacan,” added Secretary Bonoan.

The new lanes also look to improve economic activities

The new widened portion of the Plaridel Bypass Road is the latest addition to the projects that aim to improve the Bulacan road network. Last year, the agency opened the Meycauayan-Marilao East Service Road. It is a two-lane road constructed to alleviate traffic along the MacArthur Highway and other congested streets around the area.

These road projects would also help manage traffic once the Bulacan International Airport, also known as the New Manila International Airport, starts operations. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) even plans to build a racetrack, a drag strip, and an amusement park beside the airport.

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