TRAVELING to Baguio City and other towns in Benguet from La Union is expected to be faster as two major infrastructure projects that will serve as alternate routes were opened to the public Monday.
The two major infrastructure projects in La Union, namely Aringay-Tubao Alternate Road and Anduyan Bridge, will provide alternate access to Benguet without passing by Marcos Highway and the landslide-prone Kennon Road.
“This alternate route will lessen travel time from Tuba, La Union to Benguet from two hours to 35 minutes and will cut travel time from two hours and 25 minutes to just one hour going to Baguio City,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said.
Aringay-Tubao Alternate Road is a 14.24-kilometer road section along Aringay-Tubao, La Union. Villar said it will facilitate a scenic travel to Asin Hotspring in Tuba, Benguet and Baguio City.
Anduyan Bridge, on the other hand, will greatly help the people of Barangay Rizal and Alog East in Tubao, La Union, the secretary furthered.
“Ang kagandahan sa tulay na ito ay hindi na kailangan mag-balsa ng ating mga kababayan. Kung dati rati ay kailangan pa nilang magbalsa upang makatawaid lang sa Aringay River, ngayon ay mayroon na silang kalsada na maaring gamitin sa araw-araw nilang Gawain,” Villar said during the inauguration of the projects.
The construction of Anduyan Bridge has 12 spans at 30 meter pre-stress concrete girder with a total length of 360 lineal meter. It has two lanes carriageway and sidewalks on each side with reinforced concrete railings.
“Another impact of this project is that it will decongest traffic along Marcos Highway. Lalo na ngayon na sarado at prone pa rin sa landslides ang Kennon Road. ‘Yung mga kababayan natin na balak magpasko sa Baguio ay maari ng dumaan dito,” Villar said. (Betheena Kae Unite)
