LAOAG CITY, March 2 – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 1 said construction of the third phase of the more than P600 million-four lane Laoag by-pass road is now at 97 percent and will be completed in two years.
In a report, DPWH Regional Director Melanio Briosos said the phase three of the bypass road has a total cost of P353.463 million.
“Phase three is about 97 percent completed while the phase four of the project which consists of a new bridge construction is at 22.166 percent,” Briosos said.
The construction of the bridge amounting to P616,549 million is expected to be completed by October 2018.
The 3.2 kilometer-by-pass road starts from Brgy. Sta. Maria, crossing the western Padsan river and will exit near the Northwestern University along the Airport avenue and Suba road intersection.
It is an alternate route for motorists coming from the province’s southern section going to the northern towns without passing through the Laoag City proper, which frequently encounters traffic gridlock during rush hours.
Meanwhile, Project Engineer Angelito A. Dian said first phase of the by-pass road was completed last May 5, 2013, while the second phase was completed last May 23, 2014.
“Once the by-pass road is operational, it is expected to lessen travel time and provide relief to travelers specifically tourists who travel to the northern part of the region,” Dian said.
The project, which began in 2012, is jointly supervised by the DPWH Region 1 and Ilocos Norte first district engineering office.
Dian said the DPWH central office will construct the new bridge to connect the bypass road project across the Laoag Padsan river parallel to the downstream of the existing Gilbert Bridge which presently connects the Manila North Road in Brgy. Nangalisan in the south and the Laoag city proper in the north. (Cherry Joy D. Garma/PIA1-Ilocos Norte with reports from DPWH-RO1)
