MABALACAT CITY – A smooth drive from the Clark Freeport all the way to MacArthur Highway bypassing the perennially gridlocked traffic at the Poblacion area opens to motorists.
The Clark Development Corp. and the Mabalacat City government officially inaugurated the Clark-Mabalacat-Angeles Road (CMAR) extension on May 10 leading to Imelda Marcos Ave. in Barangay San Joaquin.
The city engineer’s office said the Phase 1 extension, spanning some 890 meters and featuring a 2-lane bridge connecting to the old CMAR, along with Phase 2 covering about 700 meters and linking the CMAR Extension to MacArthur Highway, represents a combined effort to improve the city’s transportation network, totaling 1.59 kilometers in length.
With a budget of P100 million for Phase 1 and P33,297,000 for Phase 2, the city government acted as the primary project coordinator to ensure the successful completion of the CMAR extension project.
The original CMAR, which opened in 2017, has been a vital artery for transportation in Mabalacat City, easing traffic congestion within the area. After extensive public hearings and the facilitation and resolution of right-of-way by the district engineer, the much-anticipated extension leading to Imelda Marcos Avenue is now open for light vehicles.
In a message of appreciation, Mayor Crisostomo Garbo expressed his heartfelt thanks to all those involved in making the project a reality. He commended the “dedication and hard work” of the district engineering office of DPWH, CDC, and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the CMAR extension.
The CDC also provided Nego Karts to households affected by the road extension project. Discussions are currently underway over the expansion of the old CMAR, with plans for widening and additional extensions and the construction of parallel bridges across Sapang Balen Creek on the CMAR Extension. Mabalacat CIO