Motorists plying the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) are expected to have safer travels as NLEX Corporation completes today, December 2, the road raising project in Dinalupihan and roadway lighting and safety devices installed in Hermosa, both in the province of Bataan. NLEX and Bataan officials marked the milestone with a drive-through inspection of the newly completed projects.
Leading the event were Hermosa Mayor Antonio Joseph Inton, Dinalupihan Mayor German Santos Jr., Vice Mayor Fernando Manalili, Bataan Board Member Romano del Rosario representing Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III, NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista, Vice President for Asset Management Jennifer Jane Go, Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management Donna Marcelo, and Vice President for Operations West Dionisio.
Earlier this year, the tollway company started the P150-million road-raising project in a 640-meter stretch of SCTEX Dinalupihan to mitigate the risk of flooding in the area. It raised the elevation of the road as high as 1.8 meters and constructed additional box culverts and new drainage structures to ensure the safe passage of motorists even during inclement weather conditions. The new culverts can handle huge amounts of water and help drain the water easily, preventing flooding.
The company also installed vetiver grass to reduce soil erosion. Bataan Board Member Romano del Rosario representing Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III acknowledged the contribution of NLEX-SCTEX in the development of the province. “Malaki po ang ambag ng expressway sa development ng ating bayan. Ang mga proyekto pong ito ay makakasiguro na makakapagbiyahe nang maayos ang mga motorista.”
Dinalupihan Mayor German Santos Jr. appreciated the project as this would definitely help ease the flooding in his municipality. “Makakatulog na po nang mahimbing ang ating mga kababayan. Maraming salamat po sa inyong malasakit.” NLEX Corp. also installed LED lights and safety devices, between the SCTEX Dinalupihan Spur and Roman Highway in Hermosa, Bataan to guide motorists, especially at night.
Last August, NLEX and the local government of Hermosa inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for these enhancements. “Bukod dito ay isinagawa din ang lighting of entrance at additional traffic signages sa SCTEX Dinalupihan toll entrance-exit portions sa Palihan, Hermosa, Bataan na atin pong personal na inisyatibo para sa mas ligtas na paglalakbay ng ating mga motorista sa araw araw. Ang electric bill sa naturang pailaw ay LGU Hermosa ang siyang magbabayad,” Mayor Inton told 1Bataan News.
