BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Guimaras-Negros Bridge segment of the 32-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros mega bridge project is again being looked into.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Negros Occidental urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct another feasibility study to determine the best site to build the proposed segment.
Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer did not oppose placing the bridge’s entry point in the town of Pulupandan, but suggested other sites to the DPWH.
Ferrer eyed the town of Valladolid, pointing out that its seawall was already in place as well as its four-lane roads.
There were no private properties there, he said. No households needed relocation.
There were also separate proposals to bypass Guimaras instead, and construct a bridge connecting directly Panay Island and Negros Occidental, particularly the town of E.B. Magalona or Victorias City.
The proposed 19.37-kilometer bridge will connect the province of Negros Occidental to Guimaras.
Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said the proposed segment is still alive, although it was temporarily shelved as funds for its construction was redirected to the country’s coronavirus pandemic response./PN
