By-pass road widened to cater to more vehicles and decongest traffic in Pontevedra, Capiz

Faster and more reliable transportation access will soon be experienced by motorists and the traveling public from the town of President Roxas in Capiz to the neighboring town of Panay when the ongoing construction of Pontevedra By-pass Road is completed.

Undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Capiz 1^st District Engineering Office, the multi-year by-pass road project which started in 2020, is already in its last phase.

Based on the report of OIC-District Engineer Cecil Lawrence M. Cruz, DPWH 6 OIC-Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel said the 2.3-kilometer, 4-lane by-pass road has a total funding requirement of ₱195 million.

The project also includes the construction of reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBC), road shoulders and slope protection structures, as well as the provision of lane markings, metal guard rails, reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings, and streetlights for the safety of motorists and road users.

“An initial amount of ₱45 million was released to the District in 2020 to jumpstart the construction. In 2021, an additional ₱50 million was released and another ₱50 million was approved and released in 2022 to continue the implementation. To complete the whole stretch, another ₱50 million was released this year,” Oropel said.

“Given favorable weather conditions and available budget, we are hopeful that this by-pass road will be fully utilized by our motorists and the riding public,” RD Oropel added

Meanwhile, OIC-DE Cecil Lawrence M. Cruz said the project is seen to provide travel, comfort, and cost-efficient delivery of goods and services to various areas in the province.

“Once completed, this by-pass road will serve as a diversion road to decongest heavy traffic along the town proper of Pontevedra. This will also serve as alternate connectors between the towns of Panay and President Roxas, significantly reducing travel time and minimizing possible road accidents at the town proper,” DE Cruz stressed.

“More significantly, this new road will ensure faster delivery of goods and services and more convenient access to various towns in the province as well as to the neighboring provinces of Iloilo and Aklan,” DE Cruz added.

By-pass road is an essential part of a roadway system. By providing an alternate route for drivers to take, bypass roads can help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and provide an alternative route for those with limited access to the main roads. (DPWH)