Laguna Lake Highway. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial aspirant and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar on Friday highlighted the significance of the four-lane 10.7-kilometer Laguna Lake Highway which was opened last November 2018.
The project aimed to connect the province of Rizal to Metro Manila, to ease traffic congestion in the capital region. It was originally conceived to serve as an alternative route to EDSA and C-5 Road.
“This project which was opened in November 2018 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,” Villar said.
With the opening of the highway, he expressed confidence that development will follow, as this would also open up another transportation lanes and recreation hubs.
It would also attract the health aficionados with the development of the bike lane component of the 6.94-kilometer highway. The bike lane is protected by a 2-meter 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,” Villar added.
The Laguna Lake Highway will be composed of two lanes of concrete road, two meter-wide planting strip, and drainage. Apart from that, it also includes the widening of three bridges, namely the Napindan, Barkadahan, and Tapayan Bridges.
It also featured 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,” Senatorial aspirant Villar ended.
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