DPWH to complete new 7.55 km road in Agusan del Norte

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is on track to finish a new road in Agusan Del Norte that will connect the municipality of Magallanes with the cities of Cabadbaran and Butuan.

It's called the Banza-Magallanes Road and is set to be completed in 2022. It will span 7.55 km and is currently being built with a budget of Php 1.55 billion. According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, work began on the new road back in 2015 by the DPWH Regional Office 13 through a convergance project with the Department of Tourism.

As of recently, the project now has a 4.88 km gravel road, along with a 1.28 km concrete section. Currently, the DPWH is working on the 2.46 km portion as well as the 0.35 km gravel segment of the upcoming road. Aside from building the new roadway , the project will also see the DPWH construct two bridges along the thoroughfare; Buhang Bridge and Banza Bridge II.

When fully completed, travel time between the town of Magallanes to Butuan City via Daang Maharlika will be reduced from one hour to just 15 minutes.

“The new road network is designed to promote tourist destination areas in the province such as the scenic Centennial Tree and Branches that can boost the region’s economic competitiveness,” said Villar.