SEA Games: Philippine Arena Interchange opens in time for opening

By Betheena Unite

A 1.12-kilometer interchange, which provides a new exit route from the Philippine Arena to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Bocaue, Bulacan, was opened Tuesday.

Mounting traffic upon exiting Bocaue, Bulacan to NLEX is expected to be lessened as the newly-completed Philippine Arena Interchange opened to public in time for the 30th Southeast Asian Games and ahead of the holiday rush, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said.

Traveling to the eastern portion of Bulacan will also be faster using the P260-million interchange, which aims to improve mobility and accessibility within the Bulacan road network particularly in Bocaue, Sta. Maria, Pandi, Norzagaray, Angat, and other nearby towns.

“Alam naman natin na malapit na ang SEA Games at dito gaganapin kaya hinabol talaga naming matapos ‘to para sa SEA Games dahil napakalaking bagay sa traffic sa area na ‘to (We all know that the SEA Games opening is approaching, so, we fast tracked the interchange’s completion because it will also decongest traffic in this area),” Villar said.

“Kung dati kapag lalabas galing sa Arena e-exit pa ng (Bocaue) Bulacan, iikot pa, ngayon hindi na kailangan puwede nang um-exit diretso na sa NLEX (Motorists will no longer have to utilize the Bocaue exit, they can already exit through the interchange going to NLEX),” Villar explained.

The Philippine Arena Interchange features an 80-lineal meter bridge which connects Bocaue Municipal Hall, NLEX, Ciudad de Victoria, and Bocaue-Sta. Maria Bypass Road. It has a northbound entry and exit toll plaza and soon, a southbound toll plaza for better accessibility.

The secretary, however, clarified that the road project was not exclusively built for the SEA Games but can be utilized beyond the biennial meet and thousands of motorists, especially the people of Bulacan who had to deal with the heavy traffic on Bocaue exit, will continuously benefit from the road.

“Actually hinabol lang namin para sa SEA Games, ahead of schedule — wala pang isang taon tapos. So, ito game-changing project dahil maraming traffic dito at luluwag ang Bocaue Exit (Actually, we expedited the construction in time for SEA Games — within less than a year. This is really a game-changing project to decongest Bocaue exit),” Villar said.

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

Villar also emphasized that the Philippine Arena Interchange is also expected to help ease mounting traffic along Governor F. Halili Road in Bocaue-Sta.Maria.

NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J Luigi Bautista, for his part, said that “NLEX is keen on supporting he government’s infrastructure plan as it also provides travel convenience for motorists using the expressway system and opens up opportunities for local communities.”

A a second phase of the interchange will be constructed.

“Merong phase 2. I-extend itong kalye tapos meron din sa kabila. So, magkakaroon ng extension para magkaroon ng additional benefit sa mga taga Bulacan. (There will be a phase 2. We will extend the road for the benefit of the people in Bulacan),” Villar said.

Eventually, a 1.91-kilometer road from MacArthur Highway to Bocaue Municipal will be improved and a 1.3-kilometer road from the Philippine Arena to the existing Patubig Road in Marilao, Bulacan will be constructed.

“We are excited with this project that will further improve the roads leading to the Philippine Arena, especially now that we are hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games Opening Ceremony,” Villar expressed.

An inaugural drive-thru of the new interchange was led by the secretary, Senator Joel Villanueva, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, Bocaue Mayor Eleonor Villanueva, Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Abraham Sales, Iglesia ni Cristo Head Legal Counsel Atty. Glicerio Santos IV, NLEX Corporation Senior Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management Atty. Romulo Quimbo Jr., Senator Francis Tolentino, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, and other government officials.

Source: Manila Bulletin