Kennon Road now open to motorists, travelers

LION’S HEAD along Kennon Road -- PNA photo 

by Liza T. Agoot

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The historic Kennon Road, the shortest route to and from the country's summer capital, has fully reopened to motorists and was one of main roads taken by tourists to Baguio during the Holy Week until now.

    Joint Inter-Agency Task Force Kennon issued memorandum no. 15 dated April 1, allowed two-way reopening of Kennon Road after its rehabilitation early this month.
    Only vehicles weighing five tons and below are allowed to traverse the road and drivers are required to follow a speed limit of 30 km per hour, particularly along curves.
    Unannounced closure of the said road may be done in case of earthquake and other reasons that may endanger the lives of the motorists.
    Prior to the full reopening, Kennon Road was open to motorists going to the city only 6 p.m. Fridays and to the lowlands until 6 a.m. on Mondays.
    The road was closed to vehicular traffic after it suffered major damage during the intensity 7.7 earthquake in 1990 that hit northern Luzon.    
    Over the years, several improvements have been done that allowed it to intermittently open in some months and closed during the rainy season.
    Passing through Kennon Road shortens by 30 minutes to an hour the travel time going to Metro Manila and other parts of Northern Luzon.
    It was constructed by the Americans in early 1900 after the opening of the mines in Benguet province. -- PNA