President Rodrigo Duterte listens to the briefing on the Davao City Coastal Road project of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar on the sidelines of the inauguraton of the Davao River Bridge widening project at Carlos P. Garcia Highway in Davao City on Thursday, May 24, 2018. (Malacañang photo)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The newly-rehabilitated and widened Davao River Bridge is now open to the public and is expected to ease the traffic congestion in the city.
President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration of the P345 million bridge that connects the areas of Ma-a and Buhangin along the Carlos P. Garcia Highway, also known as Diversion Road.
The Davao River Bridge is expected to accommodate around 31,576 motorists per day.
“Today’s inauguration of the new and improved Davao River Bridge symbolizes this administration’s commitment to usher in an era of rapid infrastructure development,” President Duterte said in his speech.
The President added that aside from the widening of the bridge from four to six lanes, the structure is now made of much better and more durable materials as well as equipped with various installations and markers for the safety and convenience of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The rehabilitated bridge is expected to reduce the travel time along the Davao Diversion Road, Duterte emphasized.
The President lauded the efforts of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other stakeholders in ensuring the completion of the project.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar was also present during the inauguration as well as other top officials of the local government of Davao City.
Duterte encouraged the DPWH, other line agencies and the LGUs in Davao region to continue their contributions to the “Build, Build, Build” program of the administration.
Duterte asked the agencies to fast-track the implementation of other crucial government projects to improve the well-being, connectivity, and mobility of the people.
“As we set ourselves to the task of building our nation, I invite everyone to become agents of hope and catalysts for progress,” he said.
The President ordered the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to clear the Diversion Road of parked vehicles to prevent road mishaps and traffic buildup.
“This is a vital artery that moves the traffic outside of the city. Kailangan bukas iyan, and it behooves upon one entity to enforce that– that is the Highway Patrol. No parking, lalo sa gabi,” he said. (davaotoday.com)
