President Benigno S. Aquino III together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Rogelio L. Singson led the inauguration of the New Himoga-an Bridge and Access Road in Sagay City, Negros Occidental last May 15, 2014.
Joining the occasion are Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas II, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, Governor Alfredo G. Marañon of the Province of Negros Occidental, Congressman Leo Rafael M. Cueva of Negros Occidental Second Congressional District; Mayor Alfredo D. Marañon III of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, and Mayor Patrick G. Escalante of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
Also present during the inauguration were DPWH 6 officials led by Regional Director Edilberto D. Tayao and Assistant Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado, who strictly monitors implementation and supervision of the project as well as during the preparation for the inauguration including District Engineer Jaime SJ Javellana with Assistant District Engineer Normita Noble and employees of DPWH, Negros Occidental First District Engineering Office.
The New Himoga-an Bridge and Access Road completed at a cost of P313.00 Million was implemented by DPWH Regional Office 6 in three phases.
Phase 1 involves construction of substructure of 3 spans of 35 meters pre-stressed concrete girder bridge on bored pile foundation including 12 units pre-stressed girders, carriageway and protection works.
Phase 2 involves completion of superstructure of 3 spans bridge with a total length of 105 meters including construction of 1 unit box culvert, cross drain pipes, slope protection and construction of 3.417 kilometers, 4-lane access road and concreting of 1.312 kilometers 2-lane road.
Phase 3 involves completion of concreting of 2-lane road including construction of 4 units box culverts, cross drain pipes and streetlights; improvement of crossings, provision of safety devices such as signage and thermoplastic painting; and construction of slope protection and concrete railings.
Considered as one of the significant and high impact projects in the province of Negros Occidental, the new road provides linkage between Cadiz City and Sagay City without passing through the already congested and narrow section of the Bacolod North Road, thus saving travel time of about 10 to 20 minutes.
Also, the cost of hauling of farm products especially sugarcane from farm to mill is reduced. The new road also provides a safer transportation from the north of Negros going to Bacolod City and New Bacolod-Silay Airport, vice versa, since it has a wider carriageway, no dangerous curves and a permanent bridge.