By Betheena Unite
Construction of three bridges located along the Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road were recently completed, cutting half of the usual travel time between the provinces of Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
The newly-constructed Sicapo, Tabbayagan, and Madduang Bridges will provide a new route to motorists that will significantly reduce as much as three and a half hours travel time between the two provinces.
“Without passing by Cagayan Valley Region, motorists from Cordillera Administrative Region will be able to reach Ilocos Region and vice versa within three hours as opposed to the current six and a half hours of travel time,” Public Works and Highway Secretary Mark Villar said.
“The implementation of these new long-span bridges was fast-tracked as this forms part of Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road Project which connects Conner, Kabugao, and Calanasan towns in the province of Apayao to the municipality of Solsona and city of Laoag in Ilocos Norte,” Villar added.
According to the department, a total of P241.25 million was allocated for the 230-meter Sicapo Bridge; P154.39 million for the 176.5-meter Tabbayagan Bridge with 239-meter approach; and P115.8 million for the 121.5-meter Madduang Bridge.
The Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road has a total of 12 bridge components. Half of the total bridges are already completed, three are under construction, while the construction of other three bridges has yet to be started.
The completion of the projects, the secretary said, “will provide a faster alternative route to motorists coming from the Cordillera Administrative Region going to Laoag International Airport as well as Manila North Road in Ilocos Region.”