By Betheena Unite

A portion of the 1.6-kilometer bypass road project that aims to reduce travel time between Marcos Highway and JP Rizal Street in Marikina City was recently completed, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Friday.

A two-lane road that spans 470.15-linear meter, the phase 1 of the Marcos Highway-JP Rizal Bypass Road, has been completed, DPWH-National Capital Region Director Ador Canlas said.

It was constructed by the side of Marikina River and SM Marikina.

“This 470-meter Phase 1 is part of the proposed Marcos Highway-JP Rizal Bypass Road Project from Marcos Highway up to M. Roxas Road near Kalumpang Barangay Hall and JP Rizal Street. Marikina River’s side will serve as the alignment of the bypass road,” he said.

“We came up with this project to address the growing volume of vehicles plying both Marcos Highway and JP Rizal Street. With a bypass road, motorists won’t have to endure nearby congested roads just to cross each side, cutting travel time by as much as 25 minutes,” the director added.

The Marcos Highway-JP Rizal Bypass Road Project received an initial allocation of P135 million for two contract packages implemented by DPWH-NCR and DPWH Metro Manila First District Engineering Office.

It covers the removal of existing trees, construction of embankment, drainage system, sidewalk, concrete curb, guardrail and retaining wall, grouted painting of curb and application of reflectorized thermoplastic pavement.

The entire bypass road, according to Canlas, will be a multi-year project and will require an estimated funding amount of P428 million for the remaining 1.14-kilometer section.

The bypass road project was among the identified projects, aside from the big-ticket projects under the government’s infrastructure program — Build, Build, Build, that are also key in decongesting overly-congested highways in the metro.