Efficient roadways and increased road capacity will do a great deal in the success of the opening rites for the Philippines hosting of biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the 11 countries of Southeast Asia.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar tours the new access road to the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan following the official inauguration of the Ciudad de Victoria Interchange Overpass Bridge and Bypass Road. Construction was fast-tracked in time for the opening ceremony of the 30th SEA Games on Saturday.

Traveling to the eastern portion of Bulacan is now expected to be faster with the inauguration the NLEX Philippine Arena Interchange.

During the inaugural drive-thru on Tuesday, Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary Mark Villar said the P260.8-million project, aims to improve mobility and accessibility within the Bulacan road network.

It will particularly help ease traffic congestion in Bocaue, Sta. Maria, Pandi, Norzagaray, Angat and other nearby towns. The interchange, which provides direct access to the Philippine Arena, can now be used as the main route by the delegates of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

According to Secretary Villar, the construction of the bypass road and bridge, which started January this year, was fast-tracked in time for the opening ceremony of the 30th SEA Games on Saturday, 30 November at the Philippine Arena.

“Efficient roadways and increased road capacity will do a great deal in the success of the opening rites for the Philippines hosting of biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the 11 countries of Southeast Asia,” Villar said.

“With our anticipation on the volume of vehicles and traffic jams during the opening ceremony, the bypass road shall provide ease of transport to delegates who will be competing for the pride of their respective countries. We also expect this new road to further accelerate trade and commerce within the province.”

Initially, the section from Philippine Arena to the southbound side of NLEX will open on 29 November, while the southbound section — from north of NLEX — going to the Philippine Arena will open on 30 November only for the SEA Games Opening Ceremony to give way to the remaining works of the interchange project.

The Philippine Arena Interchange is an 80-lineal meter bridge that connects Bocaue Municipal Hall, NLEX, Ciudad de Victoria, and Bocaue-Sta. Maria Bypass Road.

It also has a northbound entry and exit toll plaza. Villar said a southbound toll plaza will soon be constructed for better accessibility.