PALO, Leyte -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office VIII here reported that the P12.8 billion bypass road project offering an alternate route for motorist traversing the Tacloban-Babatngon road is now in full swing.

According to DPWH-8 Regional Director Allan Borromeo, the Tacloban City Bypass Road Extension project based on the total released fund is now 84.69% complete which is 11.28% higher than the target accomplishment rate.

“A total of P12.8 billion is needed to fully complete the whole stretch of the bypass road, of which, P1.498 billion has already been funded from 2018-2022,” he added.

Works included in the project are the construction of 6-lane roadway with a total length of 33 kilometers, construction of drainage structure, road slope protection structure, and two (2) permanent bridges.

Currently the DPWH-8 is now working on the construction of the 1.040 kilometers concrete road and 13,859 square kilometers slope protection structure. The rest of the bypass road project is programmed for implementation in 2023 onwards.

“Once completed, the project is expected to decongest traffic along Tacloban-Babatngon road going to Tacloban City proper shortening the travel time from 1.5 hours to 45 minutes, and will also complement the proposed international seaport that will be constructed in the town of Babatngon, Leyte,” Borromeo said.

Borromeo also mentioned that besides providing shorter travel time, the Tacloban City Bypass Road Extension as one of the high impact projects of DPWH-8, will positively affect the economy of Eastern Visayas through enhanced mobility of people, goods, and services.

Diversion roads not only provide alternate routes to alleviate traffic in highly congested areas, but also are perceived to positively affect economic status of under-developed communities that will be traversed by these infrastructures. (KBA/CPDM/DPWH-8)