THE P208-million worth Talomo-Puan Bypass Road opened on Friday, December 22, and is expected to decongest 40 percent of traffic at Ulas junction, an official said.
“This is the main objective we have because we received many complaints that even one truck damaged in that portion causes heavy traffic. This time we have given a solution and an alternative to the motorists as they travel in and out the city,” Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Davao Region spokesperson Dean Ortiz said on Friday.
Ortiz added that with the bypass road, motorists from the southern parts along McArthur highway going to Bukidnon no longer needs to pass the Ulas junction.
Those from Mintal going to Toril also have an option not pass by the Ulas junction.
“We are giving them more choices to make their travel easier,” he said.
The road, however, is not yet open for Public Utility Jeep or any Public Utility vehicles as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board need to issue route franchises first.
“They have routes to follow, and they might violate laws under their franchise. So we only allow private vehicles,” he said.
The bypass road stretches is two kilometers long.
Ortiz said that since the road is already open, together with the Davao City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), they are now finalizing the traffic scheme in the area since motorists are still hesitant to pass by the new road.
“After this bypass project we still have many projects of 60 Billion for region alone. We are intensifying the identification of priority projects. Although we have already identified some, but all is meant for the decongestion of traffic in the city,” Ortiz said.
CTTMO head Dionisio Abude said that since the opening of the road at 6 a.m. Friday they have already observed significant changes in the traffic congestion especially in Ulas junction.
“We saw that the volume of vehicles is distributed, especially those coming from Bukidnon going to Toril area,” he said.
Davao City Engineer’s Office head Engr. Joseph Dominic Felizarta said that newly opened by pass road is a big help especially those going to Mintal, Bukidnon, Calinan, Ulas and Toril.
He said that his office together with CTTMO will soon put signage in the area to inform the public where the road leads.
Felizarta said that they will also see to it that no informal settlers will build illegal structures along the road, and once again become a cause of traffic disturbance. (KVC)