Bacolod City - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced that the PHP 7.389 billion Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) is scheduled to partially open to travelers by June 30.
According to Philippines News Agency, the new highway extends 48.8 kilometers from the Bacolod South Road junction at Barangay Sum-ag in Bacolod City to the Bacolod North Road junction in Victorias City. This opening will include improvements to roads and the construction of 16 bridges. Oropel mentioned during a regional public briefing that the section from Bacolod City to Bacolod-Silay Airport will be particularly beneficial, reducing travel time from one hour to 35 minutes and accommodating an estimated 20,000 travelers daily. The highway also features a bicycle lane, a service road, and a vegetation and landscaping program to enhance traveler experience. Future plans include extending BANOCEH to Sagay City, providing a direct route to Bacolod-Silay Airport and improving traffic flow from the Victorias-Manapla area to Don Salvador Benedicto.