The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officially opened the Panabo flyover in Davao del Norte on Thursday.
The completion of the 195.59-meter steel flyover is expected to eliminate traffic congestion in the area by providing uninterrupted traffic flow at the intersection of Daang Maharlika National Highway-Tadeco and Panabo Wharf road.
In a statement, Public Works and Highways Sec. Mark Villar said that the Panabo Flyover ”is much needed during this time of crisis when safe and reliable roads are crucial to public use and government response.”
The DPWH said that the flyover will serve as a gateway to incoming and outgoing traffic to and from Panabo City and its neighboring towns. Travel time across the intersection is seen to be reduced from 60 minutes to just 15 minutes.
The agency said that the flyover is part of the national government’s “Mega Bridges for Urban and Rural Development Project” which involves the nationwide construction of bridges and flyovers to provide better road network along secondary national highways.
According to the DPWH, a total of P452.5-million was allocated for the construction of the flyover which utilizes the prefabricated modular steel technology of Matiere S.A.S. under the French Government assistance program.
The construction of the Panabo flyover started in November 2018 and was completed in February 2020.