ILOILO City has now been connected to neighboring municipalities in a move to lessen congestion along major thoroughfares during rush hours.

Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon, Mayor Jerry Treñas, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, city councilors, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Pavia Mayor Luigi Gorriceta, Second District Representative Michael Gorriceta, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Western Visayas Director Tiburcio DL Canlas led the project ceremonies Monday, April 25.

The topping out ceremony of the 400-meter Ungka flyover connecting Jaro district and Pavia town and which is targeted to open in June is expected to cut travel time from city to Iloilo International Airport in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan towns in central portion of province and vice versa by from the usual 45 minutes to only 20 minutes.

Drilon, Treñas, Ganzon, City Lone District Representative Julienne Baronda, Defensor Jr., Gorriceta, Canlas, and former senator JV Ejercito also attended the groundbreaking ceremony of Iloilo River North Bank Road, which will be called and developed into Iloilo Sunset Boulevard.

The five-kilometer four-lane road runs from Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao district to Barangay Cagbang in Oton town.

The City Government will be preparing ornamental plants for landscaping of the whole stretch of street with Esplanade-like pathways and bike lane.

“This project aims for a sustainable and greener Iloilo. The new road will help decongest heavy traffic from the city going to southern municipalities and vice versa. Its completion will boost further development in the city in the fields of tourism, economy and infrastructure,” DPWH-Western Visayas said. (PR)