The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is currently undertaking the widening of a portion of Kabankalan-Bais Road in Negros Occidental to provide the public with better transportation access to and from the south-west portion of Kabankalan City.
District Engineer Rodney A. Gustilo of DPWH-Negros Occidental 3rd District Engineering Office gave the update to DPWH-6 Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado.
Gustilo said the project, which costs P38.2 million, involves the widening of both sides of the road with the length of 1.47 lane kilometers, with each side measuring 3.65 meters wide and 0.3 meter thick.
The project also includes the installation of metal guard rails and provision of reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.
“Currently, we have already widened approximately half of the project length and is expected to be completed in July this year, given favorable weather condition and without intervening factors during the construction stage,” Gustilo said.
The Kabankalan-Bais Road is classified as a national road that traverses through one of the mountainous terrains of Kabankalan City. Most of the areas where this road traverses are agricultural lands; hence farming is the primary source of income of the local residents.
“Considering that this road section is a major access in the southern part of Negros Occidental, its improvement and widening from two to four lanes will provide ease of traffic from Kabankalan City to nearby cities and towns,” Delfinado said.
“Likewise, once this road widening is completed, the new 4-lane road will enhance the accessibility and mobility in the transport of agricultural and local products from various communities in the city to other areas in the province and other parts of the country, thus, will open vast opportunities for socio-economic improvement in the locality,” Delfinado added. (DPWHR6/RPAIO)
