The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has successfully reduced the travel time in the central portion of Iloilo province by widening the Cabatuan Bypass Road, cutting travel time to and from Iloilo City by about 40 minutes.
Based on submitted reports from DPWH Region 6 Director Lea N. Delfinado and District Engineer Sanny Boy O. Oropel, the road widening from two (2) lanes into four (4) lanes was completed along the 3.26-kilometer span of Cabatuan Bypass Road earlier this year.
The completed project also involved the installation of solar LED streetlights and thermoplastic pavement markings; construction of stone masonry; and, provision of sidewalk, curve, and gutter for the safety of pedestrians.
DPWH Iloilo 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO) implemented the P57.90-million road improvement funded under the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The bypass road serves as an alternate route from Metro Iloilo to the central towns of Iloilo up to the neighboring provinces of Capiz and Aklan. It diverts traffic from the Iloilo-Capiz Road (old route), which tends to get congested due to heavy volume of cars and other vehicles.
Since the road was expanded, around 3,400 daily commuters and motorists now only takes 20 minutes to traverse along this section of Iloilo-Capiz Road (old route) compared to the previous (1) hour travel time.
Aside from accommodating additional volume of vehicles, the upgraded bypass road also provides faster access to Iloilo International Airport; enables faster delivery of basic government services in the province; and, ensures fast transport of goods at a lower hauling cost.