CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed the road and drainage improvement at barangay Mambangnan in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.
This is part of the agency’s P19.3-million project for the 1.56-kilometer infrastructure to enhance road network systems and improve mobility in the area.
DPWH Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineer Elpidio Trinidad explained that the project involved raising the existing road pavement, upgrading damaged sections, paving 2.5-meter road shoulders, and constructing drainage canals on both sides of the road.
“We incorporated elevated road pavements into the project design to address frequent flooding, preventing inundation during heavy rainfall. This design not only meets safety standards but also contributes to broader infrastructure improvements, accommodating increased traffic and enhancing drainage to reduce the risk of water damage and erosion,” he said.
He also noted that the project will provide motorists with improved roads, mitigate flooding risks, and safeguard both the road infrastructure and nearby agricultural lands from waterlogging and damage during heavy rains.
Meanwhile, DPWH Nueva Ecija 2nd Assistant District Engineer Robert Jay Panaligan highlighted that pedestrians, cyclists, and persons with disabilities may find it easier and safer to use the road with a paved shoulder, as it provides a designated space for them.
“The wider road will allow for smoother traffic flow, reducing congestion and travel times. This improvement benefits the community by making it easier for people using this route to get to work, school, and other destinations,” he added.
The road reconstruction project has strengthened and stabilized the road’s base and employed the crack and seat technique to prevent cracks.
It was also incorporated with a drainage system to redirect water away from the road and into the nearby irrigation system to prevent pooling and potential damage.(CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3)