BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he is happy with the speed of work for the Marcos Highway re-blocking.
“Instead of two to three months, na shorten na to three weeks,” he said, adding the cement used for the project is 40 percent higher in cost but will speed up the process of drying resulting to a speedier use of the vital highway.
“Kung gagamitin natin yung regular na cemento baka December di pa tayo tapos (If we use the regular cement, maybe we would not finish by December),” Magalong added saying the use of the “One day Concrete” or the early strength concrete will speed up work at the area and will now be used for city projects.
The mayor said on the first day of cement pouring, he was there with the contractor team as well as the Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Nung 1st na buhos andun kami lahat, it is also the first time the DPWH will use it, it is 40% higher in cost but our contractors are confident,” he said.
Magalong added that the road has been tested after applying the cement and can be used by heavy trucks where a length of 240 meter of the area was opened November 11.
This week, highland vegetable traders and dealers in Benguet province asked for the speedy re-blocking of Marcos Highway, citing the road works cause too much traffic and causes delay in the delivery of vegetables.
The league in its letter on November 12 stated quality roads mean swift transportation of goods and better travel for the riding public and visitors but they are distraught that it has to be done at this time of the year, November 8 to December 21, 2019 which is the peak season for vegetable deliveries.
The DPWH project costs P7 million.