CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Department of Public Works and Highways Region III Director Antonio Molano, Jr. on Thursday assured motorists, pedestrians and the public that no structures will be compromised by the ongoing road upgrading and rehabilitation at the Barangay Dolores portion of Jose Abad Santos Avenue.

This was after several motorists and stakeholders raised concern over the possible lowering of the vertical clearance on an existing footbridge and pedestrian overpass due to elevation by at least one foot of the major thoroughfare.

Molano explained that only portions of the road will be upgraded to level-off some sections where water accumulates during the rainy season.

He pointed out the eastbound area from McDonald's beside the footbridge to the Jollibee portion where floodwaters usually stay and cause destruction of the asphalted road.

"May mga ni level-off lang kami na portion, lalo na yung sa bandang gilid pa east bound going to Mexico kasi pababa iyon. Ipinantay lang natin siya doon sa mataas na part ng existing road kaya yung height ng daan will be the same," he said.

He added that some four inches to 15 inches was upgraded on the road depending on the depth of the area.

Molano also said that the DPWH has already started cementing the road per request of Mayor Edwin Santiago to avoid flooding-related gridlocks usually after a typhoon onslaught or heavy downpours.

He furthered that the road repair project is will be finished by February next year and is expected to decongest traffic at the busy highway.

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