Expected volume of tourists that will flock to Kalibo in Aklan for this year’s Ati-atihan Festival can now expect faster and more reliable travel with the inauguration of the Kalibo Bridge in Aklan recently.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said that the opening of the two-lane 770-linear meter bridge to vehicular traffic will significantly reduce travel time from Kalibo City to Caticlan from 75 minutes to just 60 minutes, and is expected to boost tourism and hasten delivery of goods and basic commodities to and from Kalibo City.
“The bridge will provide an alternate route from Aklan West Road and a direct link to Kalibo Airport.”
“Around 6,000 motorists, residents and tourists are anticipated to feel the benefits of its completion. As part of the 15.81-kilometer Kalibo Circumferential Road, the bridge will provide an alternate route from Aklan West Road and a direct link to Kalibo Airport,” Secretary Villar added.
Passing through the Municipality of Lezo and by-passing the Municipality of Numancia, the bridge is said to ease traffic congestion in Kalibo proper.
The P500-million bridge project involves the construction of 22 spans of bored pile foundation, slope protection works, and concreting of a 3-kilometer road.