The 22.46-kilometer Bulacan Bypass RD is probably one of the most important roads in the province, providing faster access to the towns of Balagtas, Plaridel, Pulilan, Bustos, and all the way to Baliuag and Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT) from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
With the increased volume of traffic, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) began the road widening works a few years back, from a loan from Japan costing PHP 5.26-billion.
“If things go according to plan, the road widening activities for the entire project alignment will be completed within the last quarter of 2023,” said DPWH Undersecretary, Emil Sadain.
In his inspection report to DPWH Secretary, Manuel Bonoan, Sadain said that three contract packages are ongoing to construct two new westbound travel lanes from NLEX at Barangay Burol, Balagtas to Barangay Maasim, San Rafael.
The project under the Arterial Bypass Road Project Phase 3 implemented by DPWH Unified Project Management Office-Roads Management Cluster 1 (UPMO-RMC1) involves concrete paving on new lanes, installation of box culverts and drainage structures, construction of eight bridges and three flyovers, slope protection, and miscellaneous structures.
DPWH has earlier completed the widening from two lanes to four lanes of a 2.22-kilometer section under contract package 3, including the westbound-two lane, 1.12-kilometer Angat Bridge, which is now among the longest bridges in Luzon.
DPWH has also started working on the rehabilitation or replacement of damaged concrete on some sections of the paved road completed under phases 1 and 2 to accommodate the new load demand, especially from heavy vehicles from the various industries that utilize the Bulacan Bypass RD.
