Bamban to Moncada Towns

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is fast tracking the improvement, widening, and concreting of the 53-kilometer road which starts from Bamban to Moncada towns.

The P790-million road project, which started October last year, is expected to be completed middle of this year.

DPWH regional director Antonio Molano said about 35 percent of the project is already completed.

To ensure the speedy completion of the project, DPWH assistant project engineer Edwin David said they are closely monitoring the construction, in close coordination with the affected local government units (LGUs) and the Traffic Management Group.

David said utility service providers such as the Tarlac Electric Cooperatives (Tarelco) 1 and II, telecom networks (PLDT, Smart, Globe) and water utilities have committed to transfer their facilities in order that the construction work will proceed without interruptions.

Motorists are also advised to take the alternate route at La Paz (SCTEX) to their destinations, he said.

The road project runs through three congressional districts of Tarlac.

In District 1, the scope of work from Paniqui to Moncada town consists of widening, bridge construction, upgrading, and asphalt overlay. The project costs P147 million.

District 2 project covers the widening and upgrading of road, the construction of canals, and asphalt overlay from Tarlac City to Gerona. Construction of the infrastructures would cost P412 million.

In barangay San Rafael, Tarlac City, one kilometer of the road is to be upgraded by at least half a meter to address the perennial problem of flooding in the area. This area had been identified as the lowest portion in the Tarlac segment of the Manila North Road (MNR).