ILOILO — Cyclists in Pavia, Iloilo now have a safer and more accessible route following the completion of a three-kilometer dedicated bike lane along the national road in Barangay Mali-ao — the first of its kind in the municipality.
Constructed through a partnership between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office and the local government of Pavia, the project aims to promote sustainable transportation and improve road safety for the growing number of cyclists in the area.
The bike lane measures 1.2 meters in width and stretches from just before Aganan Bridge to the direction of the Iloilo International Airport.
District Engineer Mario Soriano said the bike lane was constructed in response to a formal request from the Sangguniang Bayan of Pavia. It was funded with P350,000 from the DPWH’s regular maintenance budget.
“We only allotted a small amount for this bike lane, but it’s a continuous activity. If we have more funds, we can construct another on the opposite lane,” Soriano explained.
Materials were procured in February, and work was completed by April, making the lane immediately functional.
The DPWH 4th District Office also revealed plans to extend the bike lane up to the boundary near the airport’s entrance, and eventually toward Alimodian, Leon, and San Miguel towns.
“We only accomplished about three kilometers for now. Hopefully, if we have available funds, we can complete the request of the municipal government,” Soriano added.
The initiative comes as more residents in Pavia take up cycling, particularly during weekends and after work hours, highlighting the need for infrastructure that supports alternative modes of transport.
Once fully expanded, the bike lane network is expected to promote physical wellness and contribute to the municipality’s goal of building an eco-friendly and bike-friendly community./PN
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SORANO
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