The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines is planning to open the 7.2km Urdaneta Western Bypass Road to the public by the end of this year. 

The Urdaneta Western Bypass Road is currently being constructed parallel to the Manila North Road with an investment of PHP1.6bn ($32m) in order to provide an alternate to Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, as well as ease traffic congestion in the region. 

The new bypass road will also establish a new link to the Urdaneta-Dagupan Road, Urdaneta-Manaoag Road, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La-Union Expressway (TPLEX), for commuters travelling between Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and Metro Manila.

Urdaneta City is considered as a strategic location in North Luzon as it facilitates trade and business not only to the province of Pangasinan but also the whole of North Luzon region.

It is reported to be a stop-over point for tourists travelling to Baguio City, Our Lady of Manaoag Church, and Hundred Islands of Alaminos. 

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said: “The new road network project, which traverses eight barangays namely Nancayasan, Sto. Domingo, Sta Lucia, Nancamaliran East, Mabanogbog, San Vicente, Camantiles, and Anonas will have three new bridges and additional 4km of the concrete road with drainage structures.

“The project is set for completion this year.”

"The project is set for completion this year."

DPWH is reported to have completed concreting works on the 364m road, which was acquired during the first phase under right-of-way act, and 5.2km embankment will be constructed during the second phase.

Vilar added: "We are now halfway on phase three which covers the construction of 90.9m Macalong Bridge, 70.90m Mitura Bridge 1, and 36.3m Mitura Bridge 2.”

The fourth phase of the project will see paving of a 4.8-km road with drainage structures, which includes eight units of a triple barrel and single barrel reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC), where 25% of the works are reported to been completed.

DPWH intends to begin fifth and sixth phases of project work in 2018 and 2019, which will include construction of a dome to cover drainage along the Urdaneta Bypass Road, 60m new bridge, as well as 1km transition road, and additional two lanes with correction of bases.

Image: DPWH is planning to open Urdaneta Western Bypass Road by December this year. Photo: courtesy of Republic of the Philippines.