Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is continuously widening major roads in Guimaras to cater to volumes of vehicles and increasing number of tourists visiting various destinations in the island.
DPWH-Guimaras District Engineering Office has been widening various portions of Guimaras Circumferential Road and Guimaras Central Road to ensure the smoother access of motorists and faster transport of goods and services.
OIC-Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel emphasized that the road widening effort is necessary to accommodate more vehicles and decongest traffic, as well as to help augment economic and tourism development of the island province.
“Adding new lanes to the existing road will reduce congestion and provide alternate routes for motorists and road users. Adding new lanes or a new road can improve traffic flow through the area,” Oropel said.
“Significantly, widening our roads will reduce the risk of head-on crashes by giving drivers more room to get around the bend without crossing into the opposing lane. This will also increase the capacity of a traffic corridor, reducing possible sideswipe crashes,” he added.
“The improvement of infrastructure, specifically road widening projects, has a positive economic and social development impact. Roads are meant to facilitate mobility for people and goods, and better roads are strongly associated with bigger trade flows,” RD Oropel stressed.
Meanwhile, District Engineer Randolfo A. Melosantos said that DPWH has completed the widening along Guimaras Circumferential Road, specifically in Buenavista town, which provides more convenient access to various tourist destinations in the town and its neighboring towns.
The ₱80-million project involves construction of additional 1.007-lane kilometer long, 7.3-meter wide, 2-lane Portland Concrete Cement Pavement (PCCP) road with concrete slope protection, mattresses, and mechanically-stablished earth retaining wall. It also includes provision of metal guard rails, warning signs, and reflectorized thermoplastics pavement markings for safety of road users.
The ongoing widening along Guimaras Central Road, specifically in San Lorenzo will be a big help in the province’s economic and tourism development.
The ₱60-million project, involves construction of additional 1.054-lane kilometer road with shoulders.
It also includes construction of pipe culvert with headwall and concrete slope protection, and provision of metal guard rails, warning signs and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings
“This road leads to San Lorenzo Wind Farm, which serves as energy source and tourism destination, as well as to other destinations such as the Reyley Farm and Clara Beach,” DE Melosantos said.
“We will continue to widen major roads in the province to provide our motorists and road users, as well as local residents and visitors with a safer, faster and cost-efficient transportation access,” DE Melosantos added. (DPWH)
