Bulacan leaders have expressed their full support for NLEX, DPWH road network expansion plans. In a recent dialogue with NLEX Corporation and the DPWH Regional office, the leaders pushed for new access roads to ease daily traffic congestion and improve travel convenience.
During the recent multi-stakeholders conference organized by the NLEX Corporation, the tollway company also highlighted the proposed road network improvements around the Bocaue area in Bulacan and proposed regular meetings to monitor the progress and ensure their timely implementation.
“The implementation of these road projects will significantly contribute to the decongestion of the Bocaue Interchange and Gov. Halili Avenue in Bocaue and Santa Maria, Bulacan,” said Bulacan 2nd District Representative Gavini “Apol” Pancho.
Among the road network improvements proposed by NLEX together with DPWH are the new NLEX access via Tambubong, a new Bocaue Interchange Bypass Southbound Entry, the expansion of the existing Bocaue Interchange ramps, the development of the full Balagtas interchange. Opening a direct access road within the Ciudad de Victoria leading to Gov. Halili Avenue in Santa Maria, Bulacan is also in the works.
Representatives from government agencies and local government units expressed support for these new road projects that are seen to encourage economic growth, improve public services, and provide motorists and commuters with maximum travel convenience and safety.
“The new road improvements are necessary to make Bulacan province more vibrant and attractive to potential investors,” said CIBAC Party-List Representative Sherwin Tugna during the project presentation.
Likewise, DPWH Central Luzon Regional Director Dong Tolentino affirmed that the agency was prepared to support the road network expansion along the NLEX leading to the national roads to further develop the growth of local businesses in the province.
To help alleviate heavy traffic conditions at the current Bocaue Interchange, priority will be given to a new southbound entry ramp in Brgy. Taal and northbound entry and exit ramps will be constructed at Brgy. Tambubong. The future Interchange will serve as an alternative route for motorists bound for Pandi, Bulacan and nearby towns.
For its part, NLEX representatives said “we are grateful for the opportunity to be able to better understand the situation on the ground specially around Bocaue interchange. We gained valuable inputs from our stakeholders and we are committed to undertake the road network improvements together with the DPWH to help improve the daily traffic situation.”
A new access road will also be built from Gov. F. Halili Avenue in Brgy. Turo to the southbound portion near the Bocaue Toll Plaza. With this new bypass, motorists coming from the west side of the NLEX will have an alternate route via the NLEX to Manila without passing through the heavily-traveled Bocaue Interchange.
The ramps of the Bocaue Interchange will also be expanded to accommodate the additional lanes at the bridge currently being constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Balagtas Interchange will also get a boost with the construction of new northbound and southbound access roads. Motorists coming from Balagtas going to the north will no longer need to use local roads to use the Sta. Rita interchange. Eventually, motorists from the north will also be able to exit at Balagtas southbound instead of using Bocaue interchange.
Bulacan province has been instrumental in the thriving economy of Central Luzon — the country’s second fastest growing region which, according to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), posted a 9.5% increase in its gross regional domestic product in 2016.