Northbound boulevard in Legazpi to rise

By Emmanuel Solis LEGAZPI CITY --- Construction of phase one of the seawall cum boulevard project in the northern portion of Legazpi City has started as part of the P2.1B master flood control project being supervised by the Department of Public Works and Highways in cooperation with the City Engineering Office, City Mayor Noel E. Rosal said in an interview on Tuesday. Rosal said the project is considered as another mega tourism infrastructure with a total road length of 2.70 kilometers traversing the coastal villages of Sabang, Pigcale, Baybay and San Roque, all facing Albay gulf. The project is not only a boulevard but also a seawall designed to protect the lives and properties of the villagers from the impact of storm surge especially during typhoons and other forms of natural calamities, he said. Rosal said this project would also serve as an alternate route of the motorists going to the first district of Albay and portions of Camarines Sur. “This road project would also serve as a primary solution to traffic congestion at the major thoroughfare in front of the regional government center in Barangay Rawis, he added. He said these coastal villages in north of this city would be the next haven for investment that is being anticipated to boost the economic activities by bringing more employment opportunities to the people in the villages. Rosal said this project will also be useful for jogging, running, walking and other forms of physical exercises as part of promoting healthy lifestyle to the people. The mayor said this concrete road would also serve as another venue for leisure as well as for recreation and entertainment for all the visitors and residents. Upon completion of this Phase One project, the next will be the civil works or Phase Two that will include the construction of the 380-meter long reinforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) four-lane bridge; and also for the utilization of the 24,000-linear meter foreshore land to pave the way for the construction of road right of way that will connect the boulevard across Tibu and Yawa rivers going to the regional government center, Rosal pointed out. The project came out through the master plan prepared by the Legazpi City Planning Office that was submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in Bicol for inclusion in the investment program in Region 5. Based on the study prepared by the city planning office, the construction of the boulevard includes the putting of core rocks, backfill, grouted riprap, foundation, retaining wall, construction of a two-lane all weather concrete road, sidewalks and bike lanes, construction of concrete fence, bridge approach and railings, solar street lights, landscaping, greens, and buffer zones.