ILOILO City – Travel time from this city to southern Iloilo province is expected to become much shorter once the P1.99-billion Iloilo River North Bank Road (also known as the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard) is completed.
Yesterday morning, the groundbreaking was held in Barangay Sooc, Arevalo district.
The project has two phases for three sections and involves the construction of a 4.951-kilometer road from Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao district to Barangay Cagbang in Oton, Iloilo.
Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon led the groundbreaking.
Section 1 of Phase 1 has a budget of P280.1 million for the construction of a 1.41-kilometer concrete road; one-meter wide median island with solar LED roadway lighting; stone masonry; slope protection; 0.91-meter drainage structure on both sides; sidewalk and bike lanes (with ornamental solar with walkway, flowering trees; bank slope protection with walk way (esplanade with concrete pavers); 1,152-square meter flat slab bridge with median island (with double arm roadway lighting); and three-meter wide shared use bike path on both sides of the bridge.
Section 2 of Phase 1 has a budget of P279.551 million for the construction of a 2.177-kilometer concrete road; one-meter wide median island with solar LED, roadway lighting; stone masonry; slope protection; drainage structure on both sides; sidewalk and bike lane; 369.5-linear meter river bank (esplanade with concrete pavers walk way); and 60-meter roundabout.
On the other hand, Section 3 of Phase 2 has a budget of P191.924 million for the construction of a 1.554-kilometer concrete road; one-meter wide median island with solar LED roadway lightning; stone masonry; slope protection; 0.91-meter drainage structure on both sides; and 1,152-square meter flat slab bridge with three-meter wide shared use bike path both sides.
Actual construction started on Sept. 22,2021. Target completion date is March 2023.
Drilon said Iloilo Sunset Boulevard will ease the traffic flow from Iloilo City to southern Iloilo municipalities and vice versa.
“This is not an ordinary boulevard. This will be an extension of the Iloilo River Esplanade,” said Drilon, and contribute to the development of the local economy.
He was joined in the groundbreaking by Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo province’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Iloilo City’s Julienne Baronda, Iloilo’s 2nd District’s Cong. Michael Gorriceta, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6’s Director Tiburcio DL Canlas, former senator JV Ejercito, and other city local officials./PN
