The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday said it has completed the widening of a bypass road in Iloilo, improving the transport of goods and services between neighboring towns in Central Iloilo.
In a news statement, DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado said the newly-widened section of Metro Iloilo Radial Road or R-4 Bypass Road serves as an alternate route from Iloilo City and southern Iloilo to the northern part of Iloilo and the provinces of Aklan and Capiz, and vice versa.
The road connects the towns of Santa Barbara, New Lucena and Zarraga.
The scopes of work at R-4 Bypass Road in the municipality of Leganes covered the widening of a 505-linear meter road from two lanes to four lanes with a bike lane, construction of curb and gutter, sidewalk, and slope protection on both sides with provision of guardrails and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings to safeguard motorists.
The widened road section is seen to decongest R-4 and other major thoroughfares in central Iloilo, “providing motorists and commuters with a more conducive road access, shorter travel time by about 30 minutes, and reduced vehicle operation cost.”
The project has a price tag of P28.9 million and was bankrolled using the 2021 regular infrastructure program fund.
In a related development, the DPWH reported that it has constructed a 1.5-kilometer access road leading to the Hinulugan Falls hidden in the deep mountains of Barangay Tabun-acan in the town of Pilar.
The Hinulugan Access Road Project, which costs P39.8 million, is expected to “facilitate better road trip experience with panoramic view of the province’s mountain plains and valleys for locals and tourists to enjoy.”
“The reduced travel time provided by the project has attracted more tourists in the area which is beneficial to the livelihood of Capiznons, particularly the local transport and business groups,” DPWH said.