The Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started the widening of Lawton Avenue Phase 1 works with a groundbreaking ceremony near the Bayani Road and West McKinley intersection in Taguig City.

The project will cover a 1.34km section of the Fort Bonifacio – Nichols Field Road, which has a total length of 3.54km.

Works also include the alignment of the old Nichols route running through the south-west to the north-east, from the interchange of SLEX/Skyway to Fifth Avenue and Manila American Cemetery Memorial.

DPWH secretary Mark Villar said that the widening of Lawton Avenue is part of its efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve road capacity.

Villar added: "While the construction of 2.68 lane kilometres of new concrete cement pavement at Lawton Avenue will bring inconvenience to travelling public, it is temporary and limited in duration, which cannot outweigh benefit of new concrete road that ensures an economical, sound and more stable pavement structure with longer performance period."

"The widening of Lawton Avenue is part of its efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve road capacity."

DPWH will carry out these works with a PHP458m ($8.9m) investment.

The organisation is also exploring the options of underground conduits for utilities and electrical facilities in the project design, scope and cost, considering its location in the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) area.

The Lawton Avenue expansion is expected to complement the Bonifacio Global City – Ortigas Center Link Road Project, which began last month over the Pasig River to enhance the road network capacity in Metro Manila.

The project will involve the construction of a four-lane road from Sta Monica to Lawton Bridge across Pasig River connecting Lawton Avenue in Makati City and Sta Monica Street in Pasig City, as well as a viaduct structure traversing Lawton Avenue onwards to the entrance of Bonifacio Global City.

The project is slated for completion in March 2020.

Image: DPWH breaks ground for Lawton Avenue expansion in Taguig City. Photo: courtesy of Republic of the Philippines.