Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Major roads in 3rd district passable By Jovi T. De Leon
ARAYAT -- Despite heavy rains spawned by tropical depression Julian over the weekend until early this week, major roads in Pampanga's third district remain passable to all types of vehicles plying the route towards Cabanatuan and nearby areas.
Engineers from the towns of Mexico, Sta. Ana and Arayat said this was a result of the early preparations they made prior to the advent of the rainy season.
Despite inundations of several creeks and rivers in the district, the roads linking the towns and barangays in the area have remained flood-free.
"A lot has been done to prevent the inconveniences motorists using these thoroughfares have experienced a year ago. The San Carlos-Anao Creek has been desilted, the Mexico portion of the Abacan River has been rechanneled, creeks in Sta. Ana have been dredged and canals and water channels in Arayat have been improved. Thus, creeks and rivers that usually flood these roads and nearby barangays have remained below critical levels despite prolonged rains and heavy downpours," a municipal engineer said.
Sto. Domingo Highway linking Mexico to Sta. Ana has long been a choking point for motorists, with floodwaters reaching depths of up to five feet, forcing vehicles to take long alternate routes. Now that it has been improved, traffic and trade in the area are unhampered and worry-free.
Even the dreaded Arayat floodway in Camba, which normally gets underwater during the typhoon season, has remained clear of floodwaters from the Pampanga River because of regular dredging and cleaning.
"It is convenient for us drivers and for our passengers now that the roads here have been repaired and improved. We wouldn't have to take those long detours, making us save on gas especially now that gas prices are very high," said Emilio Peña, a jeepney driver plying the San Fernando-Cabiao route.
However, Quezon Road has been closed to traffic and deemed impassable due to its bad condition and deteriorated state. The road links the towns of Mexico, San Luis, San Simon and Apalit and is a major route for cargo trucks and provincial buses.
Authorities here have advised motorists to take alternative routes or use North Luzon Expressway to get to their destinations safely.
Engineers are rushing temporary repairs on other roads in the district damaged by the weekend rains.
