ILOILO City – The Iloilo River North Bank Road, commonly known as Sunset Boulevard, will have its soft opening on June 23, 2024.
This event coincides with the celebration of the 126th founding anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel.
The Iloilo River North Bank Road is 4.99 kilometers long. It starts at Molo-Mandurriao Road, intersects with the Iloilo Circumferential Road, and ends at Oton Pakiad-Mandurriao Road.
This strategic route is expected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion along the Iloilo-Antique road.
Upon completion, the boulevard will feature an array of amenities including an esplanade, dedicated bike lanes, paved walkways, and lush landscapes, designed to enhance both functionality and aesthetics.
The project aims to improve east-to-west connectivity and is anticipated to spur further development in tourism and the local economy.
Oropel urged the public to visit the area during the soft opening to see the project’s benefits first-hand.
But he clarified that the opening on June 23 would be limited to pedestrians and joggers, as vehicle access will be restricted until the project’s completion in December 2024.
Construction began on April 25, 2022.
The Iloilo River North Bank Road 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.
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./PN
