Truck ban imposed on Kennon Road

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY — Six-wheel trucks and delivery vans which use Kennon Road to this mountain resort city are no longer allowed to pass through the historic and scenic road.

This was the advisory issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways to address the worsening traffic congestion along the road especially during rush hours which cause serious delays in the delivery of basic services.

The traffic jams on Kennon Road started a few days ago when the DPWH simultaneously implemented rehabilitation work on the thoroughfare and nearby Loakan road which resulted in numerous complaints by affected residents.

According to the advisory, six-to-10 wheel trucks will be allowed to pass through Kennon only from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., trucks and delivery vans are restricted from passing through the road because of expected huge volume of vehicles passing through it.

Because the rehabilitation of Kennon is being simultaneously with Loakan Road, traffic jams were experienced by motorists on the city’s two major roads.

The DPWH also advised tourists coming to the city, especially during weekends, to take alternate routes like Marcos Highway and Naguilian Road so they will not be wasting their time waiting in the long line of vehicles caught in traffic jams.

Kennon, the scenic zigzag road leading to the city, was constructed in 1903 and completed two years later.