The Department of Public Works and Highways considers implementing one-way traffic flow at Kennon Road, a scenic highway from Rosario, La Union to mountain city of Baguio this Holy Week.
Secretary Rogelio L. Singson instructed DPWH Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) Director Edilberto Carrabacan to conduct traffic study that will only allow light vehicles to use Kennon Road in going up to Baguio City this coming summer season particularly during the Holy Week.
Singson said “implementing 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 Baguio City for the summer break on Holy Week”.
Aside from possibly solving crawling traffic problem due to some road repairs and maintenance works including the blocked lane by counter flowing vehicles, a one-way traffic flow at the 41-kilometer Kennon Road will lessen the occurrence of vehicular accidents as motorists negotiate the steep and winding climb up to Baguio.
Marcos Highway which is the other access road leading to Baguio City from Manila will remain open to two-way traffic especially as it is also the route travelled by public utility buses and trucks.
With the proposed one-way traffic at Kennon Road not yet implemented, Director Carrabacan warned motorists and the travelling public of the strict implementation of 10- ton limit at Kennon Road to safeguard the weak bridge at Camp 5.
Trucks loaded with vegetables, sand and gravel from La Union to Baguio and vice versa and from Camp 4 going up to Baguio and vice versa are restricted at Kennon Road and instead advised to take the Marcos Highway route.
DPWH will however allow sand and gravel concessionaires from Baguio City that derive their aggregates from Camp 6 to take the route because they are not passing the Camp 5 Bridge.