The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office formally opened to the public the 2.6-kilometer Angeles-Magalang Bypass Road project during its inaugural ceremony on Tuesday.
The inauguration was attended by DPWH Region 3 Director Roseller A Tolentino, Assistant Director Denise Maria M Ayag, Angeles City local executives headed by Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., Vice Mayor Vicky Vega, Congressman Carmelo B. Lazatin II, President and CEO of Hausland Mr. Wilfredo M. Tan, and Mr. Edgardo Tan, Chairman of the Board of Tan Song Bok Realty Development Corporation.
District Engineer Arleen Beltran said that the P245 million project will serves as an alternative route for motorists coming from Magalang to Angeles City, and vice versa.
It was learned that the construction of the new bypass began in 2019 after the national government funded the implementation of the first five connecting projects which included the improvement of the EPZA Diversion Road that connects to Angeles-Magalang Road.
Two more projects, one of which includes the construction of an 88-meter two-lane bridge crossing the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) —which is considered an integral part of this bypass road project was also began in 2020.
DPWH said, all seven parts of the project have been completed and are now benefiting the public.
“Motorists will now experience ease of traffic in the congested area of Pulung Maragul Rotonda in Angeles City. Those coming from Angeles-Magalang-Mabalacat Road, NLEX, Balibago, and Magalang now have an alternative route if they are going to Angeles City or Clark,” Assistant District Engineer Arnold R. Ocampo explained.
DE Beltran highlighted the importance of accessible infrastructure projects for improving Pampanga’s traffic management system.
“With the completion of this bypass road, motorists can now enter or exit through Aniceto-Gueco, saving them at least 30 minutes of travel time,” she said.
The project also includes the construction of retaining walls and concrete slope protection on both approaches of the NLEX Overpass, the construction of box culverts in Pulung Cacutud, and the provision of road safety devices such as guardrails, hazard markers, and pavement markings.