President Benigno S. Aquino, III led the unveiling of markers of the two major national highways in the City of Iloilo – the Pres. Corazon C. Aquino Avenue and the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Avenue, last June 11, 2015.
Along with Pres. Aquino were Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and DILG Secretary Manuel A. Roxas, II.
Also present during the unveiling were Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr., Iloilo Second Congressional District Representative Arcadio H. Gorriceta, Iloilo Third Congressional District Representative Arthur R. Defensor, Jr., Iloilo First Congressional District Representative Richard S. Garin, Pavia Mayor Michael Gorriceta and DPWH VI Regional Director Edilberto D. Tayao and Assistant Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado.
Pres. Corazon C. Aquino Avenue, formerly the Iloilo Circumferential Road (C-1) is a new road opening with the total length of 14. 80 kilometers from Jct. Iloilo-Antique Road in Arevalo District and ending at Jct. Iloilo-Dumangas Coastal Road in Jaro District.
The project, with the amount of P1.7 Billion involves construction of four-lane, two-way road, provision of bicycle lane and construction of five bridges.
Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Avenue, on the other hand stretches 15.60 kilometers from General Luna in Iloilo City to the gate of Iloilo International Airport in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan, Iloilo.
The project involves widening of road from six lanes to eight lanes along the 5.84-kilometer Iloilo-Jaro Diversion Road, including bike lane, walk lane and service roads, construction of pedestrian overpass with elevators for persons with disabilities and the elderly, pedestrian underpass, from Iloilo Esplanade I to Children’s Park, passing under Iloilo Bridge. The project further involves widening of road from four lanes to six lanes of the remaining road length.
During his visit, Pres. Aquino also inaugurated and walk-through the completed 51.0-lineal meter Dungon Bridge IV, which is one of the components of the widening of Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Avenue.
The P75.0-Million Bridge project involves widening of bridge from four lanes to six lanes to complement the road widening project, construction of pedestrian bridge (bike lane) and service bridge.
Likewise, Pres. Aquino inspected the construction of Muelle Loney (Drilon) Bridge along Iloilo City-Lapuz Road, with the length of 125.0 lineal meters.
The project, with the amount of P149.81 Million, involves construction five-span Pre-Stressed Concrete Girder (PSCG) bridge, sidewalk, baluster and steel-type railings, plant boxes and lighting. It also includes construction of access road leading to the new ferry terminal and construction of 690-lineal meter esplanade/promenade in the proximity of the bridge.
The said major infrastructure development projects in the city and province of Iloilo are made possible through the initiative of the good Ilonggo Senator, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.