URDANETA CITY – Widening of the Mac Arthur highway right in the central business district here, is now almost complete, according to City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr.

Perez said except for the construction of a much wider bridge, the widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways in that stretch is now almost finished.

Perez said first to set back by five meters was the city’s public market which was followed by owners of other business establishments along the Mac Arthur highway.
Even Perez’ family also sacrificed when they gave up the frontage of their backyard in barangay San Vicente.

The road widening was undertaken in place of a flyover earlier proposed in the area but which was rejected by businessmen and property owners here. It was initiated by Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco.

The width of the Mac Arthur Highway was stretched to 20 meters or more, thus paving the way for a smoother flow of vehicles going north to south and vice versa at any time of the day.

Businessmen supported the widening project by moving back their establishments as they anticipated bigger economic opportunities ahead for the city as soon a the project is completed.

Businessmen expect an economic boom for the city starting next year, which they believed will be unprecedented in history, brought about by their much improved road that makes the one bottleneck area in the poblacion a thing of the past.