The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is searching for funding for the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network project (LLRN) Phase-1.
A 3D rendering of a portion of the LLRN
This was announced by DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, during a 3-day mission meeting with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from February 27 to March 1, 2023.
Besides looking for project funding, the DPWH also worked with several entities to develop strategic plans and determine the construction methods to use for the LLRN. The project’s loan application process, funding schemes, resettlement plans, and environmental effects were likewise discussed.
Present during the meeting were Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Transport Sector Leader Andres Pizarro, LLRN Team Head Emil K. Sadain, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Kelly Bird, and Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Roads Management Cluster 2 Project Director Madsmo H. Hasim.
The LLRN project in total will cost a total of Php 175.3 billion. That sounds like a huge chunk of dough for a road. Then again, do note Phase 1 of the LLRN consists of a 21.5-kilometer-long viaduct and a 15.9-kilometer-long embankment. The completed LLRN will then span a total of 37.4 kilometers.
The aforementioned road is positioned on the western side of Laguna Lake and will provide easier access to and from the province of Laguna. The DPWH also says this route will be safer and faster than the current routes leading to the said province and vice versa.
Government officials and various executives at the 3-day reconnaissance meeting for the LLRN
To make the new Laguna Lake road even more accessible, interchanges connecting to several municipalities will also be built. These include one in Lower Bicutan, Sucat, Alabang, Tunasan, San Pedro, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba.
A third highway was likewise proposed. This was deemed necessary to address the rush hour traffic on the South Luzon Expressway and the Manila South Road.
It was also reported during the meeting that the feasibility study for LLRN phase 2 is nearing completion. Of note, Phase 2 involves the northern to southern Laguna lake coastline. The cost for phase 2’s Detailed Engineering Design (DED) was then included in the civic works loan for LLRN Phase 1.
Remember that the DED for the LLRN Phase 1 was already started last year. This was initially set to conclude on February 2023, but according to Bonoan, the aforementioned DED’s status is currently at 85 percent.
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