Level of quality and safety of national roads leading to Ilocos Region continues to improve with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) able to increase total length of paved highway to 1,576 kilometers.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, DPWH Region 1 Director Melanio C. Briosos said that the paving of 31 kilometers of national roads in 2013 has reduced the unpaved roads in Northern Luzon to 47 kilometers which is included in budget priorities and will be completed between 2014 to 2016. Also completed are national bridges with a total length of 366 lineal meters.
DPWH Region 1 together with its ten (10) District Engineering Offices work hand-in-hand in the implementation of 853 projects consisting of roads, bridges, flood control and drainage, and public buildings worth P5.190 Billion in CY 2013 and attained the completion of 611 projects or accomplishment rate of 77 percent.
Notable major projects completed is the 180 lineal meter Aluling Bridge constructed along Cervantes – Bontoc Road crossing the Abra River connecting the towns of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur and Tadian, Mountain Province. The bridge provides faster and safer movement of people and goods between Region I and the Cordillera Administrative Region, reducing travel time from one hour to thirty minutes.
Aluling Bridge bridge was completed on March 25, 2013 and formally inaugurated on August 15, 2013. It was originally started sometime in 1978 and funded on staggered basis but the works accomplished were subsequently damaged by rampaging flood water in the 1990’s.
The Lingayen-Binmaley Road project which provides an alternate route bypassing the busy town proper of Binmaley and Lingayen for motorists heading to eastern and western Pangasinan known for beaches was also completed with no less than President Benigno S. Aquino formally opening to vehicular traffic.
With the right project, right cost, right quality principle in project implementation, the widening of Agoo-Aringay Road Section of the Manila North Road (MNR) not only improves vehicular traffic flow but also addresses flooding problem in the area. The project was also completed four (4) months ahead of schedule and generated fund savings of P3.7million which was utilized in the construction of sidewalk with railings along the Elementary School located within the area for the safety of school children.
In support to the national tourism development program, completed are the construction construction/widening/upgrading/rehabilitation of Maoini-Baduang-Saud Road leading to beaches of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and the access road to distinctive white limestone formation known as Kapurpurawan Rock Formation along the coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. The improvement of Manila North Road, Bantay-San Ildefonso-Section in Ilocos Sur was also completed
Two (2) more projects nearing completion to provide access to declared tourism destinations in Pangasinan include Bangrin Mangrove Road with an accomplishment of 99%, and Napudot Access Road with a 92% accomplishment.