To cater to more motorists and road users, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is continuously widening Metro Iloilo Radial Road (R-4), which serves as a by-pass road, decongesting traffic along Iloilo-Capiz Road (new route), specifically downtown Leganes and Zarraga.
DPWH, Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office is currently undertaking the widening of the existing 2-lane road from Barangay San Vicente to Barangay Guihaman in Leganes town.
The ₱95.3-million project, funded under the District’s FY 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) involves building 1-lane Portland Concrete Cement Pavement (PCCP) on both sides of the road to complement the already widened sections.
The provision of slope protection structures and drainage systems in specific locations was also undertaken to ensure the stability of the road and the safety of the people in the localities.
According to Assistant District Engineer Perla S. Laguardia, the widened road will ensure a better connection from Iloilo City to the northern part of the province and neighboring provinces of Capiz and Aklan, without passing along Iloilo-Capiz Road (new route).
“The widened radial road will cater to a huge number of vehicles, providing a more convenient alternate route from Iloilo City going north and vice versa, decongesting traffic along the town proper of Leganes and Zarraga,” ADE Perla S. Laguardia said.
This road is connected to the 4-lane Iloilo Circumferential Road (C-1), hence smoother traffic flow from the southern part of Iloilo province and the neighboring province of Antique going to northern Iloilo and provinces of Capiz and Aklan will be ensured, decongesting traffic along major roads in Iloilo City.
“This will significantly offer a cost-efficient, lesser travel time; hence vehicle operation and maintenance costs will also be reduced,” ADE Laguardia added.
Laguardia further said that the widened radial road will provide more comfortable travel access to various tourist destinations in Panay island, hence, encouraging more tourists and visitors, which will eventually increase its economic condition.
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 a more conducive road access, shorter travel time, and reducing vehicle operation costs.
The District is likewise continuously undertaking widening works along various roads by-passing Iloilo Radial Road. Recently, the District has widened the 4.18-kilometer by-pass road connecting the towns of New Lucena, Sta. Barbara and Zarraga
The widening of the radial road as well as by-passing roads are among the significant contributions of DPWH, which envisions providing quality infrastructure projects and services beneficial to the people. (DPWH-6)
