THE District Engineering Office (DEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan province is fast tracking the construction of vital infrastructure projects that seen to improve the economic condition of the local folks here.
Outgoing Bulacan district Engineer Erelina Santos said they have four major projects for completion by the third quarter of the year.
“These are two major road projects and two important bridge structures which are necessary to promote and sustain regional industries and agricultural activities in the areas,” she said.
Santos said the two major road projects are the Sta. Maria bypass and the Sta. Maria-Norzagaray roads.
The construction of Sta. Maria bypass road started last July 16 and expected to be completed this October.
“As a result, vehicles passing the area have to slow down to at least 30 kms/hour along the 384 lineal meters stretch to give way for the uninterrupted construction,” she said.
Bulacan assistant district engineer Gene Leaño said that once completed, the congestion problem in the area would be resolved.
“The bypass road will serve the motorists coming and going to the town of Bocaue with vehicles no longer passing through the over-crowded Sta. Maria proper,”Leaño said.
The Sta. Maria-Norzagaray road project, on the other hand, entails the construction of two busy road sections, namely the Sta. Maria-Pulong Buhangin and the Sta. Maria- Cay Pombo.
The P40.786 million road project started on February 18 and is expected to be finished by September, this year.
Following a series of delays due to the rerouting scheme, the Bulacan 2nd DEO closed on Tuesday the old and dilapidated Pulong Buhangin bridge along Sta. Maria-Norzagaray road to give way for the construction of a new one.
The P14.2 -million project is seen to be completed in August this year.
Meanwhile, the P12 million construction of the Sta. Maria bridge was deterred due to some variations, from the original 24 lineal meter, the bridge was extended to approximately 30 lineal meters.
Because the closure of the bridge to the public became inevitable, a steel foot bridge was constructed by the Bulacan 2nd DEO parallel to the site to serve as alternative safe conduit to the passersby.
The undertaking which was started last February is expected to be completed by September this year. PNA