The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Cordillera region has announced that Kennon Road will be accessible only to light vehicles from February 12 to 14, 2025. This restriction comes as a result of scheduled road surface corrections along a temporary bypass section of the road, specifically between K0223+010 and K0223+126 in Camp 2, Tuba, Benguet. The advisory from DPWH-Cordillera warns of increased traffic during these dates due to the ongoing work.
Kennon Road serves as a primary route to Baguio City and other parts of the Cordillera region. In related news, the DPWH has completed a significant road slope protection project along the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, costing PHP66.718 million. This project, aimed at mitigating soil erosion and rockfall risks, was implemented in Bokod, Benguet. It involved the installation of an active wire mesh system over 2,734 square meters and spanning 88 lineal meters in Sitio Gurel, Barangay Poblacion.
According to DPWH-Cordillera Director Khadaffy Tanggol, the completed project is expected to enhance road safety, thereby attracting more tourists and boosting local economies. The Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, a key secondary national road, connects to popular tourist spots like the Mummy Caves and Lakes in Kabayan, and Mt. Pulag in Bokod. Additionally, it serves as a vital shortcut for agricultural transport, aiding farmers in northern Benguet to efficiently move their produce. The road slope protection project was funded under the 2024 General Infrastructure Program and executed by the DPWH Benguet 1st District Engineering Office.