ILOILO City – The city government is eyeing pedestrian bridges to connect the esplanades on both sides of the Iloilo River.
According to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, three pedestrian bridges are being eyed.
“Sa tunga sang Esplanade 1 and Esplanade 2, butangan ta pedestrian bridge,” he said.
The city will be requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for funds.
The proposed project will further cement Iloilo City’s reputation as a “walk-friendly” metro, said Treñas.
The city government will be working again with renowned landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren for the esplanade foot bridges.
Touted as the longest linear park in the Philippines, the scenic Iloilo River Esplanade, which was also designed by Alcazaren, stretches 9.035 kilometers, traversing through five of the seven Iloilo City districts: Molo, Mandurriao, La Paz, Lapuz, and the City Proper.
Envisioned as a place of leisure and potential tourist spot, it started out as a 1.2-kilometer public park that ran from the Sen. Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue, popularly known as Diversion Road in Mandurriao district, to Carpenter’s Bridge in Molo.
Aside from the esplanade pedestrian bridges, Treñas said more overpasses are being mulled along Diversion Road, one of the busiest in the city.
“Nakit-an naton nga kadamo gid sang pumoluyo nga nalayuan gid sang pedestrian lanes sa Diversion Road. So masulat kita sa DPWH para sa pedestrian overpass,” said Treñas.
“Ngaa kinanglan i-revisit kag padugangan pedestrian overpasses? Kay naglaba kag nagdasig aton nga dalan,” he added.
The city mayor also noted the existing elevators of the pedestrian overpass along Diversion Road will be repaired so it can be used already./PN
