The Bacolod City government is actively seeking ways to
optimize the use of the newly inaugurated Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic
Highway (BANOCEH), a multi-billion-peso infrastructure project aimed at
boosting regional connectivity and economic growth. Councilor Al Victor Espino,
chairperson of the committee on traffic and transportation, revealed that the
City Council is awaiting recommendations from the Bacolod Traffic and
Transportation Management Department (BTTMD) regarding a proposal to reroute trucks,
heavy equipment, and large vehicles from the Circumferential Road to the
BANOCEH.
Espino emphasized that this move would not only maximize the
use of the new highway but also enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians
along the Circumferential Road, a major thoroughfare that experiences heavy
daily traffic. “When the sugarcane
trucks and other big vehicles will all pass through BANOCEH, the
Circumferential Road will be safer and more efficient.,” he stated. The
City Council has already directed the BTTMD to assess the feasibility of this
plan and has requested the City Planning and Development Office to study
resource allocation for the BANOCEH’s utilization.
The BANOCEH, funded by the national government at over PHP 7
billion, spans 48.8 kilometers, connecting Bacolod South Road in Barangay
Sum-ag to Bacolod North Road in Victorias City. The project includes the
construction and improvement of 16 bridges, along with modern amenities such as
bicycle lanes, service roads, and landscaping. According to DPWH-Western
Visayas Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel, portions of the highway are set to
open by June 30, 2024, or early July 2024, significantly reducing travel time
from Bacolod City to Bacolod-Silay Airport by 25 minutes.
Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, who played a
key role in facilitating the project, described the BANOCEH as a “trailblazing
initiative” that will unlock new growth areas for the city. He highlighted its
potential to attract investments and improve connectivity, particularly with
the proposed Bacolod Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), which is currently under
review in the Senate.
The BANOCEH is expected to benefit approximately 20,000
travelers daily, offering a smoother and more scenic travel experience. With
its completion, Bacolod City is poised to become a hub for economic
development, fostering new opportunities for both residents and businesses in
the region.
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