New interchange to ease traffic to northern Luzon

BALAGTAS, Bulacan -- The Manila North Tollways Corp. will open its newest interchange here on March 20.

The opening aimed to ease the traffic volume at old Sta. Rita Interchange in Guiguinto town, which serves as gateway to the North Luzon Expressway.

It is also seen to boost economic activity in eastern Bulacan and nearby provinces.

Marlene Ochoa, the vice president for corporate communications of the MNTC said the Department of Public Works and Highways chooses the date for the inauguration.

“It’s a project of the DPWH, and it is designed to reduce traffic congestion at Sta. Rita,” Ochoa said.

Ochoa was referring to the 6-kilometer Plaridel by pass road that will branch out of the NLEX towards the towns of Plaridel and Bustos.

The by-pass road is part of the P3-Billion 24-kilometer arterial road project started three years ago that will link the NLEX to Maasim village in San Rafael town.

Completed weeks ago, the opening of the Balagtas interchange cost the MNTC at least P100 million, according to Rodrigo Franco, the president and chief executive officer of the MNTC.

The expenses include construction of a toll plaza and synchronization of toll collection system.

Earlier, Mayor Lorna Silverio of San Rafael town disclosed that MNTC expressed interest to help build the extension of the project with the hope of operating it.

Silverio also said the impending completion of the 24-kilometer arterial road project boosted economic activity in her town.

She said in 2011, San Rafael town generated at least P500 million in investments following the opening of the Pilipinas Development Corp. Eco-Zone in Tambubong village.

“The completion of this arterial road project is the key to economic development of San Rafael and other nearby municipalities,” Silverio said.