Boracay's main road to be completed in October – Villar
Boracay Circumferential Road, the island's main road network, is expected to be completed in time for the island's reopening in October, Public Works and Highways Chief Mark Villar said.
Villar announced that the ongoing improvement and rehabilitation of the fivekilometer Boracay Circumferential Road was already 40 percent complete.
"We have started the pouring of concrete and installation of pipes along Cagban to Elizalde Compound. As of now, we are almost 40 percent complete," Villar said.
The construction of the missing gap from Barangay Manoc-Manoc to Barangay Yapak, which will complete the whole stretch of the circumferential road, "is also on track for completion based on the inspection," according to the secretary.
“Now 60 percent completed, the construction of the missing gap, along the circumferential road, will facilitate travel around the famous Puka Beach,” he said.
A 204-lineal meter reinforced concrete pipe culvert (RCPC) at missing gap area is also being constructed for better drainage facility. It will have five catchment basins, 22-lineal meter cross drain, and 130-lineal meter cut-off wall for installation of curb and gutter.
Expanding the road, which used to be a narrow main road in Boracay, to an ideal 12-meter wide circumferential road was identified as the agency's main task in the six-month rehabilitation of the worldfamous island.
Villar reported that removal of illegallybuilt structures and electric posts that obstruct the 12-meter wide road was also underway.
"We have identified the Bulabog beach road network as an alternate route while the main road is being rehabilitated. This shall also serve as a logistics corridor wherein goods can be transported to and from Boracay Island thus alleviating traffic congestion along the main road," Villar said.
Prior to rehabilitation, "roads in the island are narrow due to road right-of-way violations, with structures closely built along national roads, resulting to carriageways being shared by both vehicles, pedestrians, and merchants," according to the agency.