Construction of the P175-billion Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) project is set to start by the end of the year, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Last week, a focus group meeting of the technical working group of the House committee on ecology was organized in connection with the proposed project within the Laguna Lake area.
Emil Sadain, DPWH senior undersecretary, during the meeting said the proposed LLRN, with the DPWH as proponent, will be an outer ring high standard highway for the Laguna de Bay that will provide a faster and safer alternative for motorists traveling north or south.
Sadain said the project has reached 90 percent advance stage of detailed engineering design (DED).
Infrastructure preparation and innovation facility and road construction are expected to commence by yearend, he added.
Phase I of the proposed project covers 37.4 kilometers of viaduct and embankment on the western side from Lower Bicutan, Taguig City to Calamba, Laguna.
It will also cover the construction of eight interchanges proposed to connect municipal boundaries to the nearest public road along Lower Bicutan, Sucat, Alabang, Tunasan, San Pedro/Biñan, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba.
The extensive environmental survey activities fully considered the project’s impact on the ecosystem of Laguna Lake.
LLRN Phase I costing P175 billion will be funded through a loan from the Asian Development Bank and is now under review by the National Economic and Development Authority.
The feasibility study for LLRN Phase II in the northern to southern coastline via an eastern route is ongoing. The DED funding for Phase II will be included in the civil works loan for LLRN Phase I.
The proposed third highway going south is expected to ease traffic congestion, especially during rush hour, at the Manila South Road and South Luzon Expressway.
Meanwhile, Sadain expressed confidence another proposed DPWH project, the Parañaque Spillway, will effectively mitigate flooding.
The underground drainage channel connecting Laguna Lake to Manila Bay will avoid spilling of lake water into low-lying communities.
The project to catch overflowing flood water from Laguna Lake before it is pumped out to Manila Bay will be about 50 meters underground traversing the cities of Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor City in Cavite. – Myla Iglesias
