BACOLOD CITY—Public Works Secretary Mark Villar led the inauguration of the P365-million Araneta-Magsaysay flyover in this city on Tuesday.
The road structure, located in the southern part of the city, is the second flyover in Bacolod after the first in the north on Lacson Street in Barangay Bata.
Villar said the Department of Public Works and Highways fast-tracked the completion of the flyover to make the Bacoleños happy this Christmas.
“We assure you this is only the start. We have more projects to be implemented here,” he added.
Villar was joined by Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and District Engineer Abraham Villareal during the inauguration rites, which included a ceremonial drive-through on the flyover.
The secretary said Bacolod is fortunate to have officials facilitating the infrastructure projects for the city.
The Araneta-Magsaysay flyover’s total project cost was converted into economic construction cost of P321.2 million, using the standard economic conversion factors.
The structure is a double-lane pavement with five spans of modular steel technology of Matierre S.A.S. under the French Government assistance program. It has four piers with a total length of 195 lineal meters, and road approaches of 280 meters.
Villar said the DPWH is also conducting a feasibility study for additional flyovers in Bacolod. The city is one of the recipients of the “golden age” infrastructure program of President Rodrigo Duterte, he added.
“Let us support [the President] because he has a good plan for Negros Island, especially Bacolod, because he saw the potential of the city. He loves Negros so expect more projects here,” Villar said.
Gasataya said the construction of the flyover will not only ease traffic in the city, but is also part of the megastructures in the southern part of Bacolod.
Leonardia said the flyover project is a “dream come true” and is expected to contribute to the economic stimulation and modernization of infrastructure facilities in Bacolod.