Kennon Road rehab project moves forward

MANILA, Philippines — The government remains committed to the rehabilitation of Kennon Road as part of efforts to boost tourism activities in Baguio City.

The Public-Private Partnership Center and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are conducting a general perception survey for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, improvement, operation and maintenance (RRIOM) of the Kennon Road project.

The survey aims to assess the public’s perception of the project and their impression on its potential impact, both positive and negative.

Among the positive impact include increased safety and reliability, reduction of travel time, and tourism promotion, while the negative factors include increase in traffic, and risks of construction to the environment, residents and indigenous people.

The PPP Center, DPWH and consultant RebelGroup International BV also aim to solicit suggestions as to what features should be included for the safety of road users and the immediate communities.

The rehabilitation of the 115-year-old Kennon Road involves upgrading and improving the landslide-prone sections of the road that has a length of 33.7 kilometers.

It aims to prevent and mitigate the road slope disasters that frequently occur along Kennon Road such as rock slope collapse, road slip and river erosion.

The rehabilitation process will include existing bridges in deteriorating conditions to increase the road’s load limit and to ensure its structural integrity.

Rehabilitation of the road will cut travel time and expand the tourism industry in Baguio City, as well as in remote communities that can be reached via Kennon Road.