GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—Officials of the Department of Public Works and HighwaYS (DPWH), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and the municipal government of Guiguinto on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of a P210 million worth service road from Barangay Tabe to Balagtas Interchange.
TRB Executive Director Alvin Curillo approved the project based on the request of Bulacan Fifth District Representative former Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr. and now Guiguinto Mayor Agatha Paula Cruz.
Mayor Cruz said the 1.4 km service road that is parallel to the northbound lane of NLEX is composed of two phases, the first one, from the previous Tabe Exit along the NLEX to Guiguinto Municipal Hospital passing along the area of Bagong Lipunan Improvement of Sites and Services (BLISS) national government housing project and the second phase from Guiguinto Municipal Hospital to Balagtas Interchange of the Plaridel Bypass.
Balagtas Interchange connects Plaridel Bypass to the southbound lane of the NLEX bound to Metro Manila. Balagtas Interchange and Plaridel Bypass both straddle along Guiguinto villages and areas and bring its residents and Bulacan motorists direct access going to Metro Manila.
Cruz said the service road that will directly connect Guiguinto’s provincial road to NLEX will provide easier access and mobility for the residents which will spur more economic growth in the town including in adjacent Balagtas town.
The mayor’s father requested the project to give residents and other motorists another direct access and link to the NLEX after the closure of the Tabe Exit more than 15 years ago. The service road will also bring residents and motorists to and from the Plaridel Bypass which is a direct link to eastern portions of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija province.
The solon had sought the creation of the Tabe Exit in the 1990’s when the NLEX was then under the Philippine National Construction Company (PNCC) to directly link Guiguinto to the superhighway that is a major key for the town’s progress.
However, few years later, Tabe Exit was ordered closed. The former mayor then staged strong protests and rallies along the speed highway in Tabe area until the Balagtas Interchange and the Plaridel Bypass were constructed and opened in 2012 as replacement. Balagtas Interchange and Plaridel Bypass provide fast and convenient traffic-free travels from NLEX to the Maharlika Highway going to the eastern Bulacan areas and to Nueva Ecija.
According to Guiguinto municipal engineer Alcadio Sulit ,the NLEX will adjust its fence in the area to give way for the construction of the 10 meters wide 1.4 km road project.
NLEX President J. Luigi Bautista said the mobility project going to Balagtas Interchange will bring more opportunities for progress and development to the people of Guiguinto and adjacent areas.
Bautista assured Guiguinto officials and Bulacan motorists of their full support and assistance to ease the traffic that would be caused because of the construction of the project.
Newly assigned DPWH Region 3 Assistant Regional Director Melquiades Sto. Domingo said the project will be completed in 2026 after more than three years of work.
