DPWH mulls one-way traffic on Kennon Road during dry season

Kennon Road, one of the major thoroughfares leading to Baguio City, may be open only to light vehicles heading toward the summer capital during the dry (summer) season, especially during Holy Week.

The Department of Public Works and Highways said Tuesday it is considering such a one-way policy to prevent traffic congestion.

“(I)mplementing one-way traffic at Kennon Road will prevent the re-occurrence of severe vehicular congestion starting from the junction of Kennon Road and Manila North Road in Rosario, La Union experienced last December 2014 as travelers are expected to trek to Baguio City for the summer break on Holy Week,” DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said.

Singson said he directed DPWH Cordillera regional director Edilberto Carrabacan to conduct a study on the possiblity that only light vehicles would be allowed to use Kennon Road in going up to Baguio City.

The DPWH also noted a one-way traffic flow on the 41-kilometer Kennon Road will lessen the chances of vehicular accidents along the the steep and winding road.

Marcos Highway

The DPWH said Marcos Highway, the other access road leading to Baguio City from Manila, will remain open to two-way traffic.

Marcos Highway is also the route used by public utility buses and trucks, it noted.

Meanwhile, Carrabacan reminded motorists on the strict implementation of 10-ton limit on Kennon Road to safeguard the weak bridge at Camp 5.

Trucks loaded with vegetables, sand and gravel plying between La Union and Baguio and between Camp 4 and Baguio are restricted on Kennon Road and may have to take Marcos Highway.

But sand and gravel concessionaires from Baguio City that derive their aggregates from Camp 6 may take the route because they are not passing the Camp 5 Bridge. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News