The Department of Public Works and Highways, under the leadership of Secretary Mark Villar, has completed the construction of three (3) permanent bridge projects along a new route that will reduce as much as three (3) and a half hour travel time between the provinces of Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
Secretary Villar said the newly-constructed Sicapo, Tabbayagan, and Madduang Bridges were recently completed along Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road in Apayao Province.
“The implementation of these new long-span bridges was fast-tracked as this forms part of Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road Project which connects Conner, Kabugao, and Calanasan towns in the province of Apayao to the municipality of Solsona and city of Laoag in Ilocos Norte,” said Secretary Villar.
“The completion of Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road will provide a faster alternative route to motorists coming from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) going to Laoag International Airport as well as Manila North Road in Ilocos Region,” added Secretary Villar.
“Without passing by Cagayan Valley Region, motorists from CAR will be able to reach Ilocos Region and vice versa within three (3) hours as opposed to the current six (6) and a half hour travel time,” Secretary Villar further added.
DPWH has allocated a total of P241.25-million for the 230-meter Sicapo Bridge; P154.39-million for the 176.5-meter Tabbayagan Bridge with 239-meter approach; and P115.8-million for the 121.5-meter Madduang Bridge. Each of the structure is a Type V prestressed structural concrete girder with 7.32-meter wide carriageway divided in two (2) lanes, and with 1.11-meter wide sidewalk component on both sides.
The Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road has a total of 12 bridge components with six (6) bridges completed; three (3) ongoing; and three (3) not yet started.
Aside from Sicapo, Tabbayagan, and Madduang Bridges, DPWH previously completed the 49-meter Butao Bridge; 20-meter Dibagat Bridge; 30-meter Baratan Bridge; and 37-meter Malabanig Bridge.