SAN SIMON -- The inconvenience and irk felt by motorists passing by the portion of the MacArthur Highway in this town will soon be eased, as the long-sought rehabilitation of the major thoroughfare finally kicked-off this week.
Mayor Jun Punsalan of this town officially announced yesterday that the reconstruction of the road, particularly the flood-prone and heavily-deteriorated area in the CDCP junction here, is now in full swing.
Punsalan said a total of 1.025 linear meters of the four-lane two-way road in the section of San Simon will be upgraded and concretized to address the perennial flooding problem experienced in the area during heavy downpour.
“The road from CDCP area up to probably in front of the municipal hall will finally be reconstructed. The highway will be upgraded by up to one meter higher than the flooring of Caltex gas station to ensure that it will not be easily flooded, unlike its situation nowadays,” he said.
Punsalan added that the drainage system in the area will also be improved along with the road construction, to ensure that flood and rainwater will not be stagnant, and avoid situations when the major thoroughfare is not passable during times of disaster.
Punsalan, meanwhile, asked for the understanding of Simonians and other affected motorists for the expected traffic build-up and other inconveniences the road rehabilitation may cause.
He disclosed that the local government have set alternate routes, including that of barangays Sta. Monica-Sto. Niño roads, and Sto. Domingo-Sta. Maria (Minalin)-Paligui (Apalit) roads, to ease the traffic in the CDCP junction.
“We ask for your forbearance while the road construction is ongoing but rest assured that your patience will be replaced by a more convenient, safer and faster travel once the road is finished,” he said.
Punsalan added the project is expected to be completed by October or in about 60 days.