ILOILO CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has begun the construction of the P1.99-billion expansion road project which will be an alternate route from Iloilo City and towns of southern Iloilo province.
Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon and DPWH-6 Regional Director Tiburcio DL Canlas led the groundbreaking for the Iloilo River North Bank Road project on Monday, April 25.
The more than five-kilometer road will run from Mandurriao district of Iloilo City and the junction of Cagbang village in Oton town. The road will have four lanes, bike lanes and pathways on both sides.
To be known as the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard, the project will also include an extension of the Iloilo Esplanade, which is a linear park adjacent to the Iloilo River.
Composed of two phases, the expansion project aims to decongest heavy traffic to and from Iloilo City and southern Iloilo province. It will also serve as a secondary national road for travel between Iloilo and Antique province.
Drilon and DPWH-6 also led the topping-out ceremony for the P629-million Ungka II flyover, which aims to decongest traffic to and from Iloilo Airport.
Also present during the two ceremonies were Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Iloilo 2nd District Congressman Michael Gorriceta, Iloilo City Congresswoman Julienne Baronda, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Pavia Mayor Luigi Gorriceta, and former senator JV Ejercito.