Widened by-pass road facilitates better access to central Iloilo towns

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Faster and more convenient transportation in the towns of Sta. Barbara, New Lucena and Zarraga in central Iloilo is now ensured with the continuous widening along Metro Iloilo Radial Road (R-4 By-pass Road), undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Iloilo 4^th District Engineering Office.

District Engineer (DE) Mario G. Soriano said widening of the said by-pass is undertaken by the District to ensure better connection among towns in central Iloilo and provide motorists with a convenient alternate route, decongesting major roads in the area.

“This by-pass road is a new access road connecting the towns of Sta. Barbara, New Lucena and Zarraga, by-passing the Metro Iloilo Radial Road (R-4), which is one of the alternate routes from Iloilo City and southern Iloilo to the northern part of Iloilo and provinces of Aklan and Capiz, and vice versa,” District Engineer Mario G. Soriano said.

Recently, the District has completed the widening of the 1.54-lane kilometer portion of the said by-pass road in the amount of Php 79.13 million. This is an addition to the already widened portion of the said by-pass road.

“This road widening project complements the already widened portions of the 2.64-kilometer stretch by-pass road we had undertaken in the previous years,” DE Soriano added.

DE Soriano further said that the widened by-pass road will help decongest the Metro Iloilo Radial Road and other major thoroughfares in the central part of Iloilo, providing motorists and commuters with more conducive road access, shorter travel time by about 30 minutes, and reducing vehicle operation cost.

Assistant District Engineer (ADE) Perla S. Laguardia said the project involves widening of road from two lanes to four lanes with paved shoulder (bike lane); construction of curb and gutter, sidewalk, and slope protection on both sides; and provision of guardrails and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings to safeguard the motorists.

“The road will help enhance the economic activity in the towns of New Lucena, Zarraga and Sta. Barbara since transport of goods and services will be easier and faster,” ADE Perla S. Laguardia said.

“This will provide better transportation access, minimize transportation cost by reducing travel time, and provide a more convenient alternate access going to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan,” ADE Laguardia added. (DPWH-6/ILOILO 4TH DEO)