Phase 1 of new Marcos Highway - JP Rizal bypass road complete

New route to cut travel time by 25 minutes

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently completed Phase 1 of an all-new bypass road that hopes to cut travel time between Marcos Highway and J.P. Rizal Street in Marikina.

According to DPWH-NCR Region Director, Ador G. Canlas, Phase 1 of the Marcos Highway-J.P. Rizal Bypass Road covered the construction of a two-lane, 470.15-linear meter road that is beside the Marikina River and SM Marikina.

“This 470-meter Phase 1 is part of the proposed Marcos Highway-JP Rizal Bypass Road Project from Marcos Highway up to M. Roxas Road near Kalumpang Barangay Hall and JP Rizal Street. Marikina River’s side will serve as the alignment of the bypass road,” said Canlas.

The Region Director also added that this project was done in order to address the growing number of vehicular traffic plying both Marcos Highway and J.P. Rizal Street. When fully completed, motorists will no longer have to endure nearby congested roads as the new thoroughfare will shorten travel time by as much as 25 minutes.

For the completion of Phase 1, the project was initially allocated with a budget Php 135 million for two contract packages. The project's scope of works covers the removal of trees, construction of an embankment, drainage system, sidewalk, concrete curb, guard rail and retaining wall, grouted painting of curb, and placing reflectorized thermoplastic pavement.

The soon-to-open bypass road will need an additional Php 428 million for the remaining 1.14-kilometer section and will be a multi-year project.

With the Marcos Highway Bridge rehabilitation works still ongoing, the upcoming bypass road could serve as an alternative means of getting to and from Marcos Highway and J.P. Rizal Street in Marikina. Here's to hoping that the road project gets to be completed swiftly.