MAASIN CITY – A viaduct will soon rise within the new San Ricardo-Liloan Road, adding up to the list of tourist attractions in the southernmost tip of the province.
Instead of blasting hard rock to clear the area for road opening, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will instead build a 200-meter viaduct snaking through the rock formation.
The DPWH decided to build the viaduct after consultations with Rep. Roger Mercado and Governor Damian Mercado.
The project is in line with Southern Leyte’s local development plan.
“We all agreed to keep the natural beauty of hard rock intact by constructing a viaduct. This is in support to the provincial development plan and local tourism program,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia.
A viaduct is a long elevated roadway usually consisting of a series of short spans supported on arches, piers, or columns. This is the first structure of its kind in the province.
The structure will rise within the boundary of Barangays Kinachawa and San Ramon in San Ricardo.
The project is included in the P100 million funds next year meant to build an alternative road connecting San Ricardo to Liloan town.
Another P175 million is being proposed for 2018 to complete the circumferential road.
This year, the DPWH – Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (SLDEO) is currently implementing a P40 million opening of the alternative road.
For the 2016 allocation, the project aims to open about two kilometers of gravel road.
Other civil works include roadway excavation of hard rocks, installation of drainage system, and slope protection works. (PR)
