Baler, Aurora — Full-swing road cementing and construction of modern bridges are simultaneously taking place on the 120-kilometer Baler-Casiguran Road, it was reported.

The project, when completed, is expected to spur economic growth in northern Aurora towns.

The P2.1-billion project, which is funded by the national government, was one of the priority programs committed by President Arroyo during her State-of-the-Nation Address (SoNA) in 2008 in an effort to bring development to Aurora, which is one of the 20 poorest provinces in the country.

Alfredo Tolentino, Region 3 director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said that 19 modernly designed bridges have already been programmed.

A critical road section at Kilometer Post 250 in Barangay Ampere, Dipaculao town was by-passed to give way for a new route which is expected to shorten travel time by almost 30 minutes.

Travel time from Baler to Casiguran normally takes more than four hours.

Three bridges had been finished, and 13 others were almost 30 percent completed.

Tolentino said that the construction of the remaining three modular-type bridges will commence in October.

“Si Pangulong Arroyo po mismo ang magpapasinaya sa mga tulay sa Dec. 15 (Preident Arroyo will inaugurate the bridges on Dec. 15),” Tolentino said, adding that “maaari pong puntahan ng Pangulo ang lahat ng mga tulay hanggang sa Casiguran o kaya ay magkaroon na lang nga ceremonial switching sa Dibutunan Bridge.”

The 735-linear-meter Dibutunan bridge in Dipaculao is the longest structure among the 19 bridges to be built.

Noting the capability of the five construction firms which are simultaneously undertaking the ambitious project, Tolentino told the Manila Bulletin that he will not give the contractors any excuse nor alibi for not completing the bridges on the deadline set in December.

Tolentino assessed the status of the grand road project during an inspection he conducted over the weekend.

Of the billion-peso fund for the project, almost P1.1 billion has been allocated for the construction of eight bridges, Engineer Bong Bustos, assistant construction chief of the Region 3 DPWH office, said. The amount of P564 million was allotted for construction of five bridges, 13.6-kilometer stretch of road widening, blasting, and cutting of critical road sections.