A TOTAL of P2.95 billion has been allotted for the construction of the flyover bridge in Davao Del Norte, the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Davao said.
"Currently, the budget released by DPWH for this year is P300 million, hopefully this year we will begin construction," Dean Ortiz, DPWH-Davao chief information officer, said.
Ortiz added the pre-feasibility study is already done and the flyover project will help prevent future traffic congestion.
"We are planning to set up the flyover at the town center that stretches along Pan-Philippine Highway, typically it's the main road where most vehicles pass through. In the coming years, we are forecasting heavy traffic in the area so we would want to avoid that," Ortiz added.
He said the construction of the flyover will take about three years, with 2020 as the proposed target year of completion.
The proposed flyover project covers the 1.48 kilometers of Agusan-Davao road in Davao Del Norte. Ortiz highlighted the project as a first in Tagum City.
"It's the first flyover project we have for Tagum, hopefully in the coming years, there will be more developments," he said.
Ortiz said the project is considered a major infrastructure development for Davao Del Norte, saying it could make the transport system of the city easier and faster.
It is envisioned to improve the transport of both public and private vehicles in the connecting municipalities.
Among the projects intended for Tagum City for 2017 include the P5.3-billion road and bridge widening projects that covers the Davao-Compostela Valley portion of the Pan-Philippine Highway.