Lawton Avenue Explained

Lawton Avenue
Type:Tertiary road
Maint:Department of Public Works and Highways
Namesake:Henry Ware Lawton
Length Km:3.4
Direction A:West
Terminus A:West Service Road at Sales Interchange in Pasay
Junction:
Chino Roces Avenue
Bayani Road
Upper McKinley Road
Direction B:East
Terminus B:5th Avenue in Taguig

Lawton Avenue, also known as the Fort Bonifacio–Nichols Field Road and Nichols Field Road,[1] is the main road in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. It follows a part of the alignment of the old Nichols route running roughly southwest to northeast from Sales Interchange to 5th Avenue and the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. It was named after Henry Ware Lawton, a US Army general killed during the Philippine–American War.[2]

Route description

Starting at its western terminus at the roundabout intersection with the West Service Road and Sales Road at Sales Interchange in Pasay, the avenue heads east and crosses the South Luzon Expressway and PNR South Main Line railroad tracks. It enters Taguig, where it meets the intersection with Chino Roces Avenue Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension) near the entrance to the Fort Andres Bonifacio at Gate 3. It continues across army property winding past the Philippine Naval Hospital and Kagitingan Executive Golf Course, and intersecting with Bayani Road. At Upper McKinley Road, Lawton traverses the McKinley Hill mixed-use development and the Philippine Army Headquarters, bending sharply north as it skirts the western side of Manila American Cemetery. The avenue ends at a fork in the road with 5th Avenue to the west, which leads to Bonifacio Global City, and Old Lawton Road to the east, which leads to the American Cemetery entrance.

The extension of 8th Avenue north of Kalayaan Avenue between Bonifacio Global City and J.P. Rizal Avenue, also in Taguig (formerly Makati) is also named Lawton Avenue. West of the Nichols interchange, Lawton continues as Sales Road and Andrews Avenue heading towards Pasay, the Villamor Air Base, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Expansion

As part of the Duterte administration's Build! Build! Build! Infrastructure Program, the avenue was expanded from four lanes (two lanes per direction) to six lanes (three lanes per direction). The project spans 3.1km (01.9miles) and is divided in two phases. The road widening project complemented with the construction of the Santa Monica-Lawton Bridge and the expected influx of vehicles once the Santa Monica-Lawton bridge is opened. When completed, the travel time between Bonifacio Global City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be reduced by about 40% and the road will accommodate more vehicles. Construction began on August 21, 2017[3] and the first phase spanning 1.34km (00.83miles) was opened on November 17, 2020. The road widening project is expected to be fully completed in September 2021.[4]

Landmarks

References

14.5333°N 121.0367°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Road and Bridge Inventory. Department of Public Works and Highways. October 6, 2023.
  2. News: A Historical Irony. Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 18, 2013. Google News Archive.
  3. News: Patinio. Ferdinand. August 21, 2017. DPWH starts widening of Lawton Avenue in Taguig. Philippine News Agency. August 20, 2021.
  4. News: Betheena . Unite . Newly-widened Lawton Ave in Taguig City now open . November 17, 2020 . August 20, 2021 . Manila Bulletin .