Much-delayed España road project finally starts

As scheduled, work on the second phase of the España Boulevard road and drainage improvement project in Sampaloc, Manila, started at 5 a.m. on Thursday.

In a statement, the Public Information Division (PID) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the P14.3-million infrastructure project was “expected to be completed by July 13, 30 days earlier than the contract duration of 90 calendar days.”

The PID added that Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson had wanted the project to be finished “within 60 days in time for the opening of classes in colleges that moved their academic year from June to August.”

The project, which has been delayed for more than two years, finally got the go-signal from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on May 7.

It was originally set for implementation during the last quarter of 2011. However, the project was “deferred to reduce traffic inconvenience caused by the construction of the Quezon Avenue underpass at the intersection of Quezon Avenue and G. Araneta Street in Quezon City.”

Singson earlier ordered the DPWH-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) office to “conduct a 24/7 work scheme for the project” which calls for the repair of 3,310 square meters of España Boulevard road space and the [improvement of the] drainage line from Lerma Street to P. Campa Street.”

“The widening of the portion of España between Paquita Street and R. Papa Street will also be undertaken alongside the Lerma-P. Campa road repairs,” he said.

To minimize traffic congestion in the project area, the DPWH-NCR required the contractor, Steven Construction and Supplies, to “deploy traffic aides who would be tasked to assist their counterparts from the MMDA and the Manila City government during the implementation of the project.”

For its part, the MMDA recommended alternate routes for both northbound and southbound vehicles.  MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino urged motorists to avoid the areas to avoid getting caught in heavy traffic.

The DPWH, in coordination with the MMDA and Manila City Hall, also started enforcing a no-parking policy in the following streets in the Sampaloc area: Dapitan, Laong Laan, Arsenio Lacson, P. Noval, R. Papa, P. Paredes, S. Loyola and Nicanor Reyes.