PORMAL na binuksan ni Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar kahapon ang may 8.72-kilometer San Fernando-San Juan Section ng Bauang-San Fernando-San Juan By-Pass Road sa lalawigan ng La Union.

Pinangunahan ni Sec. Villar ang ceremonial drive-thru kasama sina La Union 1st District Congressman Pablo C. Ortega at DPWH Region 1 Director Ronnel M. Tan upang pormal na buksan ang bagong Bypass Road na siyang magpapaluwag ng Manila North Road sa San Fernando City at San Juan.

Ang pagbubukas ng bagong Bypass Road ay dinaluhan din nina DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, Undersecretary Eduardo S. Ramos Jr., Assistant Secretary Wilfredo S. Mallari, Assistant Secretary Mel John I. Verzosa, DPWH Region 1 Asst. Director Emmanuel W. Diaz, at iba pang  public works at local officials.

“Motorists can now use the 8.72-kilometer San Fernando-San Juan Section of the Bauang-San Fernando-San Juan By-Pass Road. This completed segment traversing rice fields will be helpful to the locals, especially famers in the area,” sabi ni Sec.Villar.

Samantala, pinuri ni Sec. Villar ang mga accomplishments ng DPWH Region 1 na nakapag-ambag ng malaki sa pag-unlad ng Ilocos Region.

“I’m really thankful for DPWH Region 1 under the outstanding leadership of Director Tan. May his demonstrated ability, kind of work ethic, and determination inspires others to go above in performance”, dagdag pa ni  Sec. Villar.

Sa kanyang project briefing, sinabi ni Director Tan na ang San Fernando-San Juan Section mula Jct San Fernando-Bagulin Road, Camansi, San Fernando hanggang Jct Manila North Road (MNR), Taboc, San Juan ay sumasakop sa road opening, portland cement concrete paving (PCCP), drainage, shoulder, slope protection works, provisions of pavement markings at signage.

Kabilang din sa proyekto ang pagtatayo ng 4-lane Talogtog Bridge na may habang  46.70 lineal meters at pagtatayo ng Abut Bridge na may habang 21.20 lineal meters.

Tinatayang makikinabang sa bagong daan na ito ang may 32,000 motorista araw-araw at magpapaluwag sa  MNR sa bahagi ng San Fernando City at San Juan. Iiksi rin ang travel time at magiging 15 minuto na lamang ang biyahe mula sa dating 30 minuto.