A multi-year bypass road project in Iloilo will soon reduce travel time going to various towns in northern Iloilo and the neighboring province of Capiz, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
DPWH Regional Office 6 Director Nerie D. Bueno said an initial amount of P48.5 million was already released for the project under the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA), followed by an additional P100 million.
The construction of the 2.2-kilometer Barotac Viejo Bypass Road is a multi-year project which started in 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2025.
Bueno said the Barotac Viejo Bypass Road involves the construction of a portland concrete cement pavement (PCCP) road, cross drainage, grouted riprap, and stone masonry with the provision of guard rails and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.
“Once completed, Barotac Viejo Bypass Road will serve as an alternate route between the barangays of Natividad and San Roque, decongesting heavy traffic along the town proper and reducing travel time by about 10 minutes,” said Bueno.
He added that the two-lane bypass road is also expected to spur socio-economic development in northern Iloilo as it ensures faster delivery of agricultural and marine products to the market, benefitting farmers and fisherfolks.