New Pampanga flyover gives better access to Bataan, Zambales, Subic

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the city government on Friday opened to traffic the P373.1-million Lazatin flyover in this Pampanga capital, providing better access to Pampanga, Bataan, Olongapo City, Zambales and the Subic Bay Freeport, said Public Works Undersecretary Rafael Yabut.

Yabut apologized for the delay, citing floods in August. “This is expected to ease traffic congestion in the [Jose Abad Santos Avenue-Lazatin intersection]. We hope this would boost trade and tourism in Pampanga and adjoining areas,” he said.

The 195-meter flyover, supplemented by access ramps measuring 125 linear meters, was supplied by Matiere SAS through a French government export credit loan to the DPWH.

The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry appealed to the DPWH to finish the paving of roads beside the flyover. “We lost so much income during the construction [of the flyover] because it was either dusty, full of potholes or flooded,” said Conrado Garcia, spokesperson of the business group. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon