DPWH to begin construction of P230M Lucena underpass

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is reportedly set to proceed with the P230 million underpass project in Lucena City, which is part of the Maharlika Highway diversion road going to Manila. 

According to Inquirer, DPWH-Lucena City district engineer Nestor Cleofas said that the 419 meter underpass will stretch from a portion after Dumacaa Bridge up to the part before Iyam Bridge in Lucena City.  

Cleofas added that the project will help decongest heavy traffic in the Manila-Bicol route. One example of which the underpass will resolve is the bottleneck of vehicles on Lucena-Tayabas intersection. 

Cleofas claims that the first phase of the project, which costs P100 million, could be completed in just 8 months. In entirety, the project could be done as soon as mid of next year, if the remaining P130 million budget will be released on time. 

In addition, DPWH secretary Mark Villar said that there is a plan for constructing 200 diversion roads nationwide, part of the government's initiative to solve worsening traffic issues.