[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’ Esplanade extension, new bypass road open today ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
ILOILO City – Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon and Public Works secretary Mark Villar will lead today’s inauguration of the Iloilo River Esplanade – Phase 3 and the Nabitasan-San Rafael bypass road.
The esplanade extension is intended to be a venue for Sunday afternoon band concerts and other forms of entertainment.
“There’s an elevated circular stage – the center of the development,” said Drilon yesterday.
The Iloilo River Esplanade – Phase 3 involved the construction of a 200-linear meter riverside promenade along the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue (Iloilo Diversion Road) complimented with paving blocks, slope protection, landscaping and other complementing structures such as a seat wall, viewing deck, boat station, skating rink, and activity area among others.
The Ilonggo senator initiated the initial phase of the esplanade covering 1.2 kilometers, funded through his Priority Development Assistance Fund.
Designed by renowned Architect Paulo Alcazaren who is responsible for developing the famous Singapore Quay, the Iloilo Esplanade was eventually expanded on the other side of the river.
Today, the esplanade is the city’s most frequented rest and recreation place.
On the economic side, the construction of the esplanade created opportunities to small and medium businessmen.
Drilon said the continued expansion of the esplanade “will pave the way for more business opportunities for Ilonggo entrepreneurs.”
Meanwhile, the new bypass road is expected to relieve traffic congestion on General Luna Street.
It allows motorists to travel from Barangay Nabitasan in La Paz district to Barangay San Rafael in Mandurriao district without the need to take the busy General Luna Street
The road project involved the construction of 787 lineal meters of concrete pavement, including a 90-lineal meter pre-stressed concrete girder bridge./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
