THE P1.249-billion Dawel-Lucao Diversion road in Dagupan City is set to be opened to vehicular traffic in March Next year, according to Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Director Fidel Ginez.

Ginez said the new highway is now 70 percent complete and the remaining 30 percent uncompleted is the P930 million bridge across the Pantal river funded by a soft loan released by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

He expressed optimism that the 980-meter long by 9.7 meter wide bridge being constructed by the Toyo Construction of Japan will be finished by March.

Construction of the Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Diversion road, the biggest infrastructure project ever built by the government in Dagupan, started in 2002.

The road component of the new highway measures 4.897 kilometers, including two small bridges spanning across small creeks.

Ginez however said P16-kmillion is still needed in order to fully complete the project and went on to tap House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. for the additional amount.

De Venecia, main proponent of the project, agreed to produce P10 million and promised to source out the remaining P6 million. (PNA)