Too late for the 2008 Bangus Festival, but better late than never.

The inauguration and opening of the P1.3 billion Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Road, which is seen to decongest vehicular traffic in Dagupan’s downtown area, may finally take place by the second week of May.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez said the city government is now looking at that timeframe for the opening of the new highway, considered the biggest infrastructure project ever in the city.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and contractors inspected the project last Monday.

Mayor Fernandez said he intends to invite both President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and 4th District Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., to inaugurate the project.

Both President Arroyo and De Venecia were instrumental in funding the project but have since severed political ties after the President and her allies booted him out as House Speaker.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, Councilor Alfie Fernandez, City Engineer Virginia Rosario and Supt. Dionicio Borromeo, chief of police, joined the mayor during inspection.

The bridge, which stretches over the Pantal River, was funded from a P906 million soft loan obtained by the government from Japan, through the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation, and constructed by the Toyo Construction of Japan.

The P231million road component, measuring more than four kilometers, was funded solely from the Priority Development Funds of De Venecia.

The road was built over former fishponds and swamplands in the outskirts of Dagupan City.

Vice Mayor Fernandez, speaking to newsmen after their inspection, said the project is now complete, except for some needed minor improvements, including an access road leading to Barangay Pantal from the new highway.

Mayor Fernandez promised to build the access road, including a children’s park on a vacant space under the bridge in Barangay Pantal.

A theme park, along with a landing wharf for ferry boats, will also be built by the city at the bank of the Calmay River, just beside the new highway.—LM

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