(DPWH Sec. Mark Villar, DPWH-3 regional director Roseller Tolentino and Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Gavino “Apol” Pancho lead the ceremonial drive-through to mark the formal opening of the Pulilan-Baliuag Diversion Road in Bulacan. Contributed Photo)
PULILAN, Bulacan – Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar along with key officials of Bulacan, formally inaugurated the Pulian-Baliuag Diversion Road Thursday.
The road completed only this year serves as a bypass to overly-congested sections of Maharlika Highway in the two named municipalities and cur travel time considerably.
Motorists headed to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) may now use this alternate road that starts at Pulilan-Calumpit Road in Barangay Tibag, Pulilan and ends in Daang Maharlika in Barangay Tarcan, Baliuag, traversing several Pulilan barangays.
“The DPWH is keen on constructing more by-pass roads to improve traffic flow as well as ensure the safety of travel. We are also aware that transportation improvement projects like these can affect the local economies of Pulilan and Baliuag, as well as the quality of life of the Bulakenyos,” Villar said.
Construction of the P509.694-million fourlane 9.6-kilometer diversion road was implemented by the DPWH Regional Office III headed by director Roseller Tolentino.
“Isa ito sa mga maipagmamalaki naming proyekto. Dahil sa diversion road na ito, hindi na kailangang baybayin ng mga Bulakenyos ang kahabaan ng Daang Maharika. May alternatibong daan na silang pwede gamitin na bago, maluwag at mas mabilis,” Villar pointed out.
An additional feature implemented by Vilar in this project was the inclusion of bike lanes, discussing the importance of pedestrian infrastructure in roads across the country.
“As part of DPWH, not only is it our main goal to provide vehicular infrastructure, but pedestrian infrastructure as well – especially for those who do not have private vehicles of their own. This is why we aim to incorporate bike lanes in all our projects similar to what we did here in the Pulilan-Baliuag Diversion Road,” Villar said.
