San Fernando parallel service roads near fruition

Monday, February 13, 2012

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The creation of parallel service roads along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) is very near to realization.

Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and public works officials inspected recently sites, areas near Jose Abad Santos Avenue close to the NLEx entry and exit gates, where Councilor Alex Patio proposed to put up the said service roads.

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Patio’s proposal -- seen to cost some P600 million -- turned into an ordinance complete with plans, and instantly earned the nod of officials locally and nationally, with even the Road Board backing it up, since it was first hatched.

During the inspection led by Rodriguez, stakeholders were thumbs up for the long-delayed proposal.

“Actually, the San Fernando side of the projected parallel roads has been acquired by Transco a few years ago. So, these proposed service roads on our map at 15 meters plus 15 meters in the San Fernando side will not create problems at all. They are government property and we can start the project soon,” City Engineer Nelson Lingat said.

Patio’s proposal and ordinance for the service roads, which starts from Apalit and ends in Mabalacat, is seen to boost the NLEx growth corridor, aside from decongesting heavy traffic along MacArthur Highway. The San Jose-Jasa portion of the project alone will cost about P40 million.

“But that is so little considering the benefits. I believe the municipality of Mexico has already passed an ordinance on these service roads. On our side, studies are ongoing for this project we deem would lead to Pampanga’s growth,” said Rodriguez.