The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the 2.2-km. Bangui Bypass Road Project in Ilocos Norte, a major infrastructure project seen to ease traffic congestion and improve transport efficiency.

In a statement on Wednesday, DPWH Region 1 (Ilocos) Director Ronnel Tan said the four-lane, PHP313.21-million bypass road project is expected to shorten travel time between Barangay Bacsil and Barangay Nagbalagan in Bangui from 10 minutes to four to five minutes.

“The completed bypass road project is one of the testaments [to] President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration’s effort to resolve traffic issues and to improve infrastructure sustainability in the country, ensuring that basic needs and services are accessible to everyone,” Tan said.

The bypass road, which features a drainage, slope protection structure, road safety measures, streetlights and 46.30-meter bridge component, was constructed to address critical bottleneck in the town proper, facilitating easy transportation of local goods and services in the vicinity.

“Traveling up north is a lot more convenient now with wider roads and the completion of the bypass road in Bangui is a big help,” Celia Asuncion, an entrepreneur from San Nicolas town who travels to Cagayan once a week to sell dry goods, said.

Asuncion said she is hoping that more high-impact projects, like the ongoing construction of the second Pagudpud viaduct, will be completed soon to avoid traffic congestion in the landslide-prone area of Pancian, which is adjacent to Bangui town. (PNA)