Kennon Road reopens to light vehicles; DPWH urges caution
KENNON Road toll booth (Google Maps)
BAGUIO CITY – Kennon Road was reopened to the public on Friday, but only for light vehicles with a load not exceeding five tons, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In its advisory, the DPWH said the restriction remains in place since the detour road at Camp 2 is temporary and cannot accommodate heavy vehicles.
Kennon Road, one of the major gateways to this city, has long been prone to closures due to frequent landslides and rockfalls, especially during the rainy season.
In 2024, a massive slide caused a portion of the road to collapse, prompting the construction of a temporary detour.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan recently inspected the rock shed in Tuba, Benguet, which was designed to protect motorists from slope failures but remains incomplete due to budget constraints.
Only 151 meters of the proposed 248-meter structure were funded, leaving nearby vulnerable sections unprotected.
Motorists were urged to observe extreme caution when traversing the 33-kilometer road, particularly during inclement weather.
Heavy vehicles are advised to take alternate routes such as Marcos Highway or the Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual-La Union Boundary Road. (PNA)