By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—The Vintar road construction in this city is now 90% complete.
This was announced by construction section chief Engr. Romeo Bartolome of the Department of Public Works and Highways-1st Engineering District.
Mr. Bartolome explained that the project, which began in 2018, was delayed until this year because of heavy traffic and the rainy season.
The 700-meter Vintar road project starts from General Luna Street to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building and includes the replacement of a bridge.
The project was funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) by the national government with aPHP25 million amount.
The said project also includes 16 solar lights.
Mr. Bartolome appealed to the public to be more cooperative due to traffic congestion brought out by the construction.
The Ilocos Times learned that this road has been a perennial problem for motorists due to its destroyed concrete pavements.
The DPWH-INED I proposed the construction of the said project in 2017 but the budget was only approved in 2018.
“Napalalo a ragsak mi ta iti kabayag nan nga ur-urayen mi iti pannakatarimaan na daytoy a kalsada ket maaramiden ta ngamin dakkel a perdisyon mi ta perdien na iti guma iti lug-lugan gapu iti abot-abot wennu lasong-lasong a klase iti kalsada,” several tricycle drivers said in a random interview.
The road is one of the busiest streets in the city as it connects to the Camp Valentin S. Juan, the provincial jail, Land Transportation Office, Provincial Health Office, Philippine Red Cross, the Laoag City Schools Division Office and to the town of Vintar.
Gilbert bridge
Meanwhile, Mr. Bartolome also said that the asphalting of the approach of the north of the Gilbert Bridge is as still a part and continuation of the Gilbert Bridge rehabilitation funded by the DPWH regional office.
“Daytoy naputol a kuna yo agpayso ta iti naggapuan na a fundo ket daydi na generate idiay savings daydi pannaka tarimaan ta Gilbert Bridge ngem ituloy to met laeng iti INED no addan to pondo iti 2019 wennu 2020,” Mr. Bartolome explained.
Bypass road lighting
DPWH-INED I assistant district engineer Richard Ragasa meanwhile, also announced that they have already requested funding for the lighting of the bypass road.
Mr. Ragasa hopes that the lighting project will be implemented this year until next year because this year’s GAA has not yet been finally approved by the President.
The lighting project will be solar-designed to conserve energy, Mr. Ragasa added.
He also disclosed that the formal opening of the bypass road was supposedly last December but due to the hectic schedule of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, it has not pushed through.
However, the said road is now presently open to vehicles.
The project is a multi-million project of the DPWH and was implemented by the regional office with the supervision of the INED I.