The Pangasinan Star ONLINE

THE P315 M plus Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Diversion Road here is now 75 percent complete. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office is optimistic it will be completed on time next year.

Engr. Fidel Ginez, DPWH regional director said that everything is running on schedule in the construction of the 4.897-kilometer long highway. The road network including two small bridges spans 30.68 meters and 12.7 meters wide through barangays Pantal, Poblacion Oeste, Tapuac and Lucao here.

A budget of P254 million has been released for the project which started on Nov. 15,2002. The fund came from the Office of the President through the initiative of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. whose congressional district includes this city.

The remaining P61 million is yet to be released which includes payment of road right of way (RROW) solely shouldered by the DPWH.

Under the P254 million available fund, Ginez said they could furnish the work on or before the third quarter next year. This involves civil works like reinforced concrete box culvert, slope protection, river bank protection, earthworks, reinforced concrete pipe culvert cross drains, Portland cement concrete pavement and miscellaneous like traffic signs, curb and gutter guardrail, project market, construction of access roads as well as facilities for engineers.

Ginez clarified that allocations for road projects varies based on the condition of the project like this one. He added that in the Dawel-Lucao road project case, theconstruction traverses fishponds and project implementors had to first remove unsuitable materials before they could do backfilling.

Ginez added that they now have very minimal problem as far as acquisition of road right-of-way is concerned as only one lot owner who is staying abroad, remains to be settled.

Meanwhile, Ginez said de Venecia has instructed DPWH to look into the feasibility of the city government’s proposal that the road network be connected directly to de Venecia Highway.

Ginez quoted de Venecia as saying that if the alternate route suggested by Mayor Benjamin Lim is feasible, the speaker will look for funds to finance it but the present design must first be completed.

The DPWH director said he has sent to his Central Office two plans recommended by the city government. Representatives from the Bureau of Designs in Manila have inspected the proposed site together with representatives from the mayor’s office some weeks ago.

Ginez added they are now waiting for the recommendation of the inspectors .