The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is currently implementing the construction of three by-pass roads in Passi City and the towns of Zarraga and Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo amounting to ₱438.881 million.
According to Regional Director Wenceslao M. Leaño, Jr., the construction of ₱229.183-million Passi By-Pass Road is implemented in two phases: Phase 1 involves the construction of 6 spans, 30-mm Pre-Stressed Concrete Type IV-B Girder Bridge on Bored Pile Foundation including approaches and slope protection amounting to ₱125.584 million.
On the other hand, the Phase 2 amounting to ₱103.59 million involves the opening of 4-lane new road with the length of 2.817 km and width of 20.0 m, wherein the 2 lanes of which with the length of 0.857 kilometers and width of 3.35-meters will be initially concreted with Portland Concrete Cement Pavement (PCCP) including slope protection and cross drains.
The construction of Barotac Nuevo By-Pass Road-Jct. Iloilo East Coast-Capiz Road, in the amount of ₱109.698 million involves opening of 1.75-km, 4-lane new road, 13.40-m wide PCCP, with slope protection.
Likewise, the construction of Zarraga By-Pass Road, in the amount of ₱100.00 million, involves the opening of 1.20-km new road, 13.40-m wide PCCP, with slope protection.
When completed, Zarraga and Passi By-Pass Roads would provide alternate access to motorists plying from Iloilo City to provinces of Aklan and Capiz, without passing the poblacion area, hence, shortening travel time, and decongesting traffic in the town/city proper, while Barotac Nuevo By-Pass Road will provide alternate access to various tourist destinations and towns in the northern part of Iloilo Province.
These by-pass roads will also lessen travel time in the delivery of goods and services Iloilo City to the northern portion of Iloilo and provinces of Aklan and Capiz, vice versa.