Session Road’s ₱150-Million Redevelopment: What Will Change?

Session Road is due for a makeover in 2027. The city’s plan covers wider walkways, drainage and sewer repairs, traffic changes, and more greenery along one of Baguio’s main roads.

The project’s revival is backed by ₱150 million from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), funding that Mayor Benjamin Magalong pursued for the city, according to the Baguio City Public Information Office.

For residents, commuters, workers, and businesses, the redevelopment will bring changes to both the street’s infrastructure and the way people move through it.

The announcement does not yet give a construction start date, a completion deadline, or the traffic arrangements for each phase of the work.

Why the Redevelopment Is Being Revived

This isn’t the first attempt. Lardizabal said about ₱120 million had been set aside for the redevelopment before COVID-19, but the money was redirected to emergency needs during the pandemic and the project was shelved.

The revived project will address existing urban concerns along Session Road, including deteriorated infrastructure and the need for more pedestrian space.

The city has turned in its plans. The drainage and sewer portion is the piece TIEZA is still working out.

Lardizabal tied the project to the city’s longer-term push against urban decay as Baguio plans its growth toward 2043.

What Will Change Along Session Road?

Wider Sidewalks on Both Sides

Both sides of Session Road will get wider sidewalks, in line with the city’s aim of making downtown easier to walk.

The sidewalk design draws on ideas that Baguio’s colleges and schools put forward in earlier consultations, which the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office (CPDSO) compiled into the concept.

For people who use Session Road on foot, the planned improvement is wider pedestrian space. The announcement does not provide the proposed sidewalk dimensions or detailed accessibility features.

Loading and Unloading Bays

The plan also sets aside dedicated bays for loading and unloading.

These will form part of the changes to how the street accommodates movement and access. Their locations and operating arrangements are not specified in the announcement, so any changes to existing passenger stops will need to be clarified through subsequent traffic advisories.

Drainage and Sewer Improvements

Below street level, the project tackles Session Road’s worn drainage and sewer lines. Lardizabal said both have deteriorated, and in some stretches stormwater and sewage run through the same system when they should be kept apart.

He also noted that the systems have been combined in some areas despite the need for separate systems. Addressing this condition is therefore part of the redevelopment, alongside the more visible changes to sidewalks and green spaces.

The announcement identifies drainage and sewer improvements as expected outcomes, but does not detail the pipe layout, excavation areas, or sequence of underground work.

Bioretention Areas and Additional Greenery

The design adds bioretention areas, which catch rainwater and channel it underground to help recharge groundwater.

Planters and other green spaces along the road will add to its greenery, which the city counts as part of its climate change response.

Some existing greenery will have to move. Lardizabal named the relocation of plants tended by the women’s association on Session Road as one of the hurdles the project faces.

The announcement does not specify which plants will be relocated or where they will be transferred.

How Will Traffic Be Managed During Construction?

A traffic plan is among the things the city must settle before work starts.

Session Road won’t be shut down entirely, Lardizabal said. To keep vehicles moving, the city is considering doing the work one section at a time.

Before that scheme is final, the city plans to go over it with its planning, engineering, and environment and parks offices, plus the tourism sector, businesses, and other stakeholders. The same consultations are meant to deal with problems that surface during construction.

The statement provides the city’s intended approach to maintaining road access. It does not yet establish how many lanes will remain available, which section will be affected first, or whether particular movements will be temporarily restricted.

What Might People Experience During the Work?

Lardizabal acknowledged that construction could affect businesses and require traffic adjustments. The precise disruption will depend on the construction schedule and approved traffic scheme.

The following are possible practical effects of the announced work, rather than restrictions already announced by the city.

For Motorists and Commuters

Work in individual sections could temporarily reduce available road space and slow movement near construction areas. Loading and unloading arrangements may also need adjustment as work progresses.

People who regularly pass through Session Road should watch for official instructions on affected lanes, passenger stops, and any designated alternative routes.

For Pedestrians

Sidewalk and drainage work may require temporary changes to walking routes or access to establishment entrances.

Safe pedestrian access, including routes usable by people with mobility limitations, will be an important detail to check when construction arrangements are announced.

For Businesses and Their Customers

Businesses near an active work area may need to coordinate customer access and deliveries. Keeping the road partly open does not, by itself, establish how access to each frontage will be maintained.

The PIO announcement acknowledges possible business concerns but does not announce mandatory business closures. Establishment-specific arrangements will need to be addressed during coordination.

What Details Are Still Needed?

The announcement sets 2027 as the implementation year, but several details remain unspecified:

• The exact start date, construction duration, and completion target.
• The boundaries and sequence of construction sections.
• Temporary lane restrictions, diversion routes, and loading areas.
• Pedestrian access and arrangements for establishment entrances.
• Delivery access and any utility interruptions.
• The handling and relocation of existing plants.

These details will determine how the project affects everyday movement and operations along Session Road.

What Is Expected After Redevelopment?

When the work is done, the city is counting on more room for pedestrians, upgraded drainage and sewer lines, better traffic management, and more greenery.

The bigger goal is a Session Road designed around pedestrians, with room for traffic, stormwater control, green space, and continued development in the same plan.

For now, residents and establishments have an outline of the planned improvements and the city’s intention to maintain traffic access. More specific preparations will depend on the construction schedule and traffic scheme released before implementation.

Source:

Baguio City Public Information Office