CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Pampanga Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. has expressed elation over the go signal of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for the construction of the third viaduct along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
Gonzales stressed the urgency to build the structure some seven years ago.
He said the people of Central and North Luzon, as well as Metro Manila, should thank the government, private agencies and stakeholders who worked hard to realize the project.
The TRB has issued a Conditional Notice to Proceed to NLEX Corporation, the expressway’s concessionaire-operator, for the construction of the third bridge to begin even as modifications in the original designs are being reviewed.
An initial amount of P6 billion was allocated for the project to augment the existing 47-year-old bridges that have recently been retrofitted.
Gonzales recently met with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, TRB and NLEX Corporation.
He solicited their support to make sure that the third viaduct is constructed while the original bridges are still passable.
Gonzales said while the two viaducts over the vast Candaba swamps have withstood the test of time, a strong earthquake or structure wear-and-tear may compromise their integrity.
“The new bridge will give us the assurance that North Luzon will remain connected to Metro Manila whatever happens to the old spans,” he said.
NLEX Corporation plans to finish the construction of the new bridge by the end of next year.
Gonzales said Pampanga Fourth District Rep Anna York Bondoc-Sagum has also been active in pushing for the proposed infrastructure.
The bridge straddles the towns of Pulilan in Bulacan, and Candaba and Apalit in Pampanga, which are both under Sagum’s district.
“Though these bridges are not part of my district, my constituents and the people of Pampanga are among the stakeholders who benefit from the continued operation of these viaducts, so I take it upon myself to work hard to see this project bear fruit,” Gonzales said.