Dabawenyos may expect several new road constructions and the opening of several alternate routes on 2017 as a remedy to the traffic woes experienced in the city.
Councilor Conrado Baluran, chair of Committee on Energy and Transportation, told Edge Davao that discussions regarding the plan were already done between the city officials and Land Transportation and Regulatory Board Chairperson Martin Delgra.
“Around two to three alternate routes would be launched early 2017,” Baluran said, revealing that one of the new routes would help decongest the traffic volume at Matina Crossing.
Baluran explained that they need to change the route in that area because of the volume of vehicles passing through it.
Another alternate route that will be soon opened in Ulas and Catalunan Pequeño is expected to divert vehicles from passing the Matina intersection.
“The development of an efficient transport system is one of the ten priorities of the administration of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte,” Baluran said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways is also intending to open new roads as it pursues a multi-billion coastal road and bypass road in the city.
In a separate interview with DPWH – Davao Public Affairs and Information Officer Dean Ortiz, the government has initially allocated P1.98 billion in 2017 for the coastal road project to decongest the highways and thoroughfares in the city.
“The 35-kilometer road project will stretch in Bago Aplaya to Sta. Ana wharf and will have rotunda in Matina Aplaya, Times Beach, and Roxas Avenue,” Ortiz said.
He added that DPWH would also have 10 bypass road projects worth P7.6 billion, including the widening of existing roads and road openings in some areas in Davao.
Currently, access to different areas in the city is through highways and thoroughfares which lead to congestion and gridlocks, particularly in Ulas and Panacan-Tibungco areas.
“The Bypass Road at Davao-Cotabato Road [Bangkal] to Catalunan Grande Road, Junction Davao-Bukidnon Road [Mintal] which seeks to unburden traffic decongestion at Ulas,” Ortiz said, adding that there will be seven bypass road projects to decongest Panacan-Tibungco section of the Davao-Agusan Road.
Ortiz said the 107.9-kilometer road project is done in coordination with the local government of Davao City which identified the road networks to be made into bypass routes.
