THE P380-million Slaughter House–F. Torres Bypass Road project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was inaugurated Friday, February 8, which aims to curb traffic congestion in Diversion Road.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said during the project briefing Friday that the 3.84-kilometer bypass road, which has a starting point at the junction of Davao City Diversion Road along CP Garcia Highway where the slaughter house is located up to F. Torres bridge, will shorten travel time from 40 minutes to just 20 minutes and could accommodate at least 2,000 motorists per day.
“All these would not have been possible without the vision of our President, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and of course Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. Ang pangarap talaga nila for Davao City is to decongest the city and to eliminate the traffic in Davao City. I am confident that you will accomplish this task because of the political will and the vision of our leaders here,” Villar said.
The newly-completed bypass road is composed of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of existing damaged paved road; the widening of existing two to four lanes; the installation of lateral drainage pipe including manholes; construction of concrete sidewalks including gutter; widening of bridge from two lanes to four; construction of slope protection works; and provisions of reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.
For her part, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio thanked DPWH for another the third bypass road in the city. It can be recalled that Talomo-Puan Bypass Road was opened in December 2017 and La Verna–Mamay Bypass Road was also inaugurated in June 2018.
“We acknowledge the need to open new roads and reconstruct ones that need rehabilitation in order to decongest active routes and to make it easier for people to get from one point of our sprawling city to another point,” Duterte-Carpio said.
“Projects like this are crucial as we continue to Build, Build, Build Davao City by strengthening our networks and partnership and we welcome more and more visitors and investors. We improve our road infrastructure to enhance access and the movement of people and goods in our ever growing Davao City,” the mayor added.
During her talk with Secretary Villar, they agreed to rename the road project considering that the word “slaughter” has negative connotation and suggested that all the people who made the road project possible be considered in renaming the street.
“It would be up to the city council to make sure to do due diligence that all the people and the families who supported DPWH on that project to be acknowledge in naming the road,” Duterte-Carpio said.