Wider roads built to cater to more motorists to southern Negros Occ

Motorists and road users will soon benefit from easier and faster access to different cities and municipalities in southern Negros Occidental with the improvement of major road sections undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

DPWH-Negros 2^nd District Engineering Office is currently widening three major thoroughfares specifically along Junction Bagonawa-La Castellana-Isabela Road in Isabela town, Bacolod South Road in Himamaylan City, and Hinigaran-Isabela Road in the town of Hinigaran.

As cited in the report of OIC-District Engineer (OIC-DE) Marivic M. Roldan, Regional Director (RD) Nerie D. Bueno said these road widening projects will be beneficial to motorists and road users going to southern Negros Occidental and the neighboring province of Negros Oriental.

“These wider roads will cater to a bigger number of vehicles plying southern Negros Occidental and the adjacent Negros Oriental province, providing lesser travel time and accommodating more motorists and road users,” RD Bueno said.

“These road improvements will strengthen transportation access, providing smoother traffic flow for convenient mobility of people and easier transport of products and services especially in the southern portion of Negros island,” she added.

RD Bueno also stressed that other than the mobility of people and delivery of products, the wider roads will encourage more tourists to visit various destinations in the island, hence, promoting its economic and tourism development.

“These improved and wider roads could draw foreign and local tourists to visit numerous tourist destinations in the southern part of Negros island, boosting the tourism industry and providing people in the localities with more opportunities for economic development,” RD Bueno stressed.

In addition, OIC-DE Marivic D. Roldan said the widened roads, specifically along Hinigaran-Isabela Road will provide better mobility and faster delivery of government services to people, especially in remote areas.

“This secondary road functions as an alternative route going to various towns in the southern Negros, thus, its widening will enhance travel safety and convenience, and will enable the easier delivery of basic government programs and services to the people in local communities,” OIC-DE Roldan said.

The ₱51.455-million project along Junction Bagonawa-La Castellana-Isabela Road involves widening of the 1.57-kilometer portion on both sides of the existing 2-lane road, including the provision of solar LED lights and solar studs for the safety of motorists and pedestrians

The ₱43.749-million project along Bacolod South Road, on the other hand, involves the widening of 1.3-kilometer road metal guard rails and warning signage, while the ₱10.914-million project along Hinigaran Isabela Road involves the widening of 321-lineal meter on both sides of the existing 2-lane road, including the provision of road protection, pavement markings, and solar LED lights. (DPWH-6)