Senatorial aspirant and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar has highlighted the significance of the Laguna Lake Highway which was opened nearly four years ago as part of the administration's "Build, Build, Build" initiative.
“This project which was opened in November 2018 and effectively reduced travel time from Bicutan to Taytay in Rizal from one hour to only 30 minutes. This highway has also a 5.58-kilometer bicycle lane facility along the stretch of Laguna Lake Highway in Taguig City," noted Villar in a statement Friday, April 29.
The Laguna Lake Highway features a two-lane concrete road plus a two-meter wide planting strip and drainage. It also included the widening of three bridges namely the Napindan Bridge, Barkadahan Bridge, and Tapayan Bridge.
Intended to open up transportation, recreation, and health opportunities, the bike lane component was added to the 6.94-kilometer Laguna Lake Highway, which was constructed to serve as an alternative route to EDSA and C-5.
The bike lane along the highway is protected by a twometer planting strip to make cycling safe and comfortable for everyone.
“It is our priority to build safe roads and bridges that will also cater to bikers and pedestrians, hence the inclusion of protected bike lanes and sidewalk spaces in the new projects,” added UniTeam senatorial slate member and ex-"chief builder" of the Duterteadministration.
The Laguna Lake Highway also has 1.5-meter sidewalks on both sides for pedestrians and an elevated dike to protect the people against flooding. The road can also be used as a temporary evacuation area during the occurrence of floods because of its high elevation.
“Isa lamang po ito sa mga proyektong nakakatulong sa ating mga kababayan, kasama na po ang mga kapatid nating siklista. Akin pong ipagpapatuloy ang magandang nasimulan ng 'Build, Build, Build' program upang makapagbigay ng trabaho at makatulong pa sa mga manggagawang Pilipino (This is just one of the projects that help our countrymen, especially our cyclists. I will continue the good foundation of the 'Build, Build. Build,' program in order to provide jobs and additional assistance to Filipino workers)," Villar concluded.