Iloilo flyover to enhance travel experience

Locals and tourists will soon experience faster and more comfortable travel from Iloilo City to Iloilo International Airport and southern towns with the construction of Ungka 2 Flyover and Iloilo River North Bank Road (Iloilo Sunset Boulevard) by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In his report to Secretary Roger G. Mercado, DPWH Region 6 Director Tiburcio DL Canlas said that the flyover will address traffic congestion at the junction of Pres. Corazon C. Aquino Avenue (Iloilo Circumferential Road C-1) and Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Avenue (Iloilo Diversion Road), reducing travel time from 40-45 minutes to only 20 minutes.

The project involves the construction of a 453.7-lineal meter, 17-span, 4-lane flyover on bored pile foundation including approaches. Now 82 percent completed, Ungka II Flyover is expected to open before the end of second quarter this year.

Iloilo Sunset Boulevard, on the other hand, is a new road opening for a sustainable and greener Iloilo, aiming to decongest heavy traffic from the city to various towns in the southern part of the province and vice versa. It will also complement the east-to-west connectivity of the city to avert future traffic congestion along Iloilo-Antique Road.

The P1.4-billion road project involves the construction of a 4.95-kilometer road from Barangay Tabucan in the town of Mandurriao to Barangay Cagban in the municipality Oton with provision of solar LED lights, median island, slope protection with walkway (esplanade), drainage structures, and sidewalks.

“These projects will ease accessibility and connectivity, and further boost the city’s tourism, economy, and infrastructure which will subsequently improve the lives of the people of Iloilo City and southern Iloilo,” said Secretary Mercado.

A topping out ceremony at Ungka II Flyover and groundbreaking of Iloilo Sunset Boulevard was held on April 26, 2022 led by Senator Franklin M. Drilon and DPWH Region 6 officials.