Plaridel Bypass Road Explained

Country:PHL
Type:N
Route:247
Maint:Department of Public Works and Highways
Plaridel Bypass Road
Image Notes:The road in Bustos
Length Km:24.61
Length Ref:[1] [2]
Established:2012
Direction A:North
Terminus A: in San Rafael
Direction B:South
Terminus B: in Guiguinto
Provinces:Bulacan
Towns:Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Bustos, San Rafael
Previous Type:N
Previous Route:243
Next Type:N
Next Route:301

Plaridel Bypass Road is a 24.61adj=onNaNadj=on national secondary road in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. Traversing agricultural lands, it bypasses the town propers of Plaridel (to which it is named after), Pulilan, Baliwag, and San Rafael and serves as an alternative route to the Pan-Philippine Highway.

The entire road is designated as National Route 247 (N247) of the Philippine highway network.[3]

Route description

From the south, the two- to four-lane bypass road starts at Balagtas Exit of North Luzon Expressway in Barangay Borol, Balagtas. It turns north, bypassing the town propers of Plaridel, Pulilan, Baliwag, and San Rafael; it also traverses the town of Bustos. It ends at its intersection with Pan-Philippine Highway in Barangay Maasim, San Rafael.

History

The first phase of the road project, a 14-kilometer segment between NLEX and Plaridel, was opened in March 2012 and funded through Japan's official development assistance.[4]

During the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, the road was initially planned to be a toll road named Plaridel Bypass Toll Road.[5] However, it was revised to become an untolled road, which was later known as the Plaridel–San Rafael Bypass Road Project.[6]

Construction of the road began in 2016, funded by a loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. On April 30, 2018, Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase II was inaugurated.[7] followed by the 10km (10miles) Phase 2 section from Balagtas to Bustos on May 5.[8]

In March 2021, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar inaugurated the widened Angat Bridge, Luzon’s longest river bridge across Angat River in Bustos, Bulacan.[9]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Kashikawa, and Manuel Bonoan inaugurated the Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III (Contract Package 4) on October 9, 2023.[10] The road, with a cost of, has been widened from two lanes to four.[11] It includes the 318m (1,043feet) second San Rafael Flyover, while the 210m (690feet) first Bustos Flyover was opened on July 12, 2022).

Construction of the 4-lane third 561-meter Guiguinto Flyover at Barangay Tiaong was finished on August 2024.[11] The ceremonial topping out and Catholic blessing-inauguration by Bulacan LGU official were held on April 25 and August 14, respectively. The installation of the Arterial Road Bypass Project, Phase III historical marker dated August 30, 2024 was held also on August 14. Its 283.10 meters main Bridge has approaches of 138.66 and 139.38 meters with a concrete jersey barrier.[12] [13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PLARIDEL BY-PASS ROAD (ARTERIAL ROAD BYPASS PROJECT, PHASE II). Department of Public Works and Highways. June 27, 2023.
  2. Web site: Environmental Impact Statement (Updated) Plaridel Bypass Road Project, Arterial Road Bypass Project, Phase III. August 2017. Japan International Cooperation Agency. June 27, 2023.
  3. Web site: Road and Bridge Inventory. Department of Public Works and Highways. June 27, 2023.
  4. Web site: March 21, 2012 . DPWH Chief opens Plaridel By-Pass Road linked to NLEX New Balagtas interchange . May 27, 2024 . Official Gazette.
  5. Web site: Plaridel Bypass Toll Road. October 13, 2014. June 27, 2023. Public-Private Partnership Center.
  6. News: Aerial Inspection of Plaridel-San Rafael Bypass Road Project. February 24, 2016. Radio Television Malacañang. June 27, 2023.
  7. News: Plaridel Bypass Road open to Bulacan traffic in two weeks. Carmela . Reyes-Estrope. May 3, 2018. June 27, 2023. INQUIRER.net.
  8. News: Bustos, Bulacan section of Plaridel Bypass Road opens on May 5. Carmela . Reyes-Estrope. May 3, 2018. June 27, 2023. INQUIRER.net.
  9. News: DPWH opens widened Angat Bridge along Arterial Bypass Road in Bulacan. February 17, 2024 . SunStar. July 10, 2021.
  10. News: Maralit. Kristina . Widened part of Plaridel Bypass opened. February 13, 2024 . . February 13, 2024.
  11. News: PBBM admin inaugurates Arterial Road Bypass Project, further reducing travel time between two towns in Bulacan. February 17, 2024 . . October 9, 2023.
  12. News: Iglesias . Myla . Plaridel bypass on track to open by June. August 5, 2024 . . May 2, 2024.
  13. News: Arterial Road Bypass in Bulacan reaches milestone with ceremonial topping off. August 16, 2024 . People's Journal. April 27, 2024.