Jose Abad Santos Avenue
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Olongapo–Gapan Road Gapan–San Fernando–Olongapo Road | |
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Driving eastbound through San Fernando, Pampanga | |
| Route information | |
| Length: | 118 km (73 mi) |
| Major junctions | |
| East end: |
 AH26 in Gapan, Nueva Ecija |
| West end: | Regional Highway 5 in Olongapo |
| Location | |
| Major cities: | Gapan, San Fernando, Olongapo |
| Highway system | |
|
Roads in the Philippines | |
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Jose Abad Santos Avenue, also known as Olongapo–Gapan Road and Gapan–San Fernando–Olongapo Road is a 118-kilometre (73 mi) long road spanning the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales in Central Luzon, Philippines. It is a major highway in Luzon and is designated as National Road 3 or N3.[1]
Etymology
Jose Abad Santos Avenue was named after the late Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos, a Kapampangan born in San Fernando on February 19, 1886. The avenue was formerly called Olongapo–Gapan Road and Gapan–San Fernando–Olongapo Road. The name was changed in line with Republic Act No. 9477 signed by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on May 22, 2007. Nowadays, the avenue is commonly referred to by its acronym JASA, however, its old name is still used.[2]
History
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Jose Abad Santos Avenue traces its roots to the pre-colonial period. The Kapampangan empire expanded their trades throughout Central Luzon, forcing them to create roads adjacent to the Pampanga River. Since Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Rizal (Metro Manila) are readily accessible because the road networks to that locations exist, the empire could not access the province of Zambales and Bataan. Through the years, they developed land tracks accessible by foot and small wagons pulled by horses.
When the Spanish Colonials came in the Philippines, they developed the road built by the old empire. They widen the road, constructed bridges, and connected it to the Olongapo, which is a very vital location which will let them to easily access the Subic Bay and to build the Naval Base.
When the Americans came, they paved the Olongapo Gapan Road and constructed concrete bridges, the longest is the one who traverses the Great Pampanga River. This action will enables them to connect their Air Field in Clark and their Naval Base in Subic Bay. Greater improvements on the road will made on this period.
When the World War II started, the Olongapo Gapan Road was crippled, halting the transportation throughout the entire span of the road. The Japanese bombed the road to stop the Americans and Filipino to fortify different bases which spans through the Central Luzon.
After the War was ended, the Philippine Government rehabilitated and repaired the whole road, paving all of the 118-kilometer long highway. New bridges was constructed and they improved the shoulders and added some facilities.
Today, the Olongapo Gapan Road, now called the Jose Abad Santos Avenue, designated as the National Road 3 by the Strong Republic Nautical Highway System, is the most significant toll-free road that connects Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales.
Route description
The road starts on Pan-Philippine Highway (Asian Highway 26) at the city of Gapan in Nueva Ecija and passes through the towns of San Isidro and Cabiao before crossing into Pampanga through the towns of Santa Ana, Arayat, and Mexico. It intersects with the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and MacArthur Highway in the City of San Fernando before heading west to Bacolor, Santa Rita, Guagua and Lubao. It then enters the province of Bataan via Hermosa and Dinalupihan, and finally to the city of Olongapo in Zambales.[3]
Thirteen major power lines with voltages of 69,000 and 230,000 cross, intersect, run parallel, and can be seen from the highway at specific portions, the most prominent of which is the Duhat-Hermosa/Hermosa-Balintawak transmission line (mostly supported by steel pole towers, with a few are made of steel lattice with designs of three-level and portal) from NLEX San Fernando Exit to Hermosa Substation. Others include the Mexico-Cabanatuan, Kadampat-San Manuel-San Jose, San Manuel-Concepcion-Mexico, Mexico-Hermosa, Limay-Hermosa, Hermosa-Limay 230kV and 69kV lines, Hermosa-San Jose, Hermosa-Olongapo and Hermosa-Guagua transmission lines, and a transmission line that leads to the Subic Freeport Zone, all belong to National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and a 69,000 volt line of Clark Electric Distribution Company from NGCP Mexico Substation to Clark Freeport compound. Some distribution lines that are owned by various distribution companies also parallel and cross to it aside from the major lines mentioned before.
Notable Landmarks
The Jose Abad Santos Avenue spans for about 118-kilometer, thus, many establishments and landmarks are built along side the highway. This landmarks are malls, historical sites, government facilities, and many more other establishments. Two major shopping malls along the road are SM City Pampanga, the second largest mall in Northern and Central Luzon, and Robinson's Star Mills.
See also
References
- ↑ "Jose Abad Santos Avenue". ph.geoview.info. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
- ↑ "Republic Act No. 9477 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
- ↑ "Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo Road: San Fernando". Caught (up) in traffic. 2012-01-18. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
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