The P38.2-million widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) along a section of Kabankalan-Bais Road in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental will speed up delivery of agricultural products and better travel to and from southwest portion of the city.
Secretary Mark Villar, citing reports from DPWH Regional Office 6 (DPWH-RO6), explained that the ongoing improvement effort entails the widening of both sides of the road with the length of 1.47-km lane, each side measuring 3.65 meters wide and 12 inches thick, with metal guard rails installation and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.
“DPWH has already widened approximately 50% of the project.”
According to DPWH Negros Occidental 3rd District Engineer Rodney Gustilo, the district engineering office has already widened approximately 50 percent of the project length and is targeting to complete civil works by July this year.
“When completed, the upgrade from the current two lanes to four lanes is seen to ease traffic from Kabankalan City to nearby cities and towns,” Villar said.
“The widened road will open vast opportunities for socio-economic improvement in the locality.”
“The widened road will also enhance the efficiency in delivering agricultural and local products from various communities in Negros Occidental, opening vast opportunities for socio-economic improvement in the locality,” the public works chief added.
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 traversed by the road are agricultural lands, making farming the primary source of income of local residents.