One of Baguio City’s most recognizable streets is getting a major makeover.
Session Road, the commercial and cultural heart of Baguio, is scheduled for redevelopment in 2027, with a ₱150-million project aimed at improving pedestrian access, drainage, sewerage, and traffic management.
The redevelopment is expected to introduce wider sidewalks, improved loading and unloading areas, more greenery, and infrastructure designed to manage rainwater more effectively.
For residents, business owners, commuters, and tourists, the project could bring long-term improvements to one of the city’s busiest destinations.
But it also raises an important question: Will Session Road remain open during construction?
According to city officials, the plan is to carry out the work in phases rather than close the entire road.
Here’s what we know about the project, its funding, proposed changes, and possible effects on visitors and businesses.
What Is the Session Road Redevelopment Project?
The Baguio City government is preparing a major rehabilitation of Session Road, a roughly 1.7-kilometer thoroughfare that serves as a central part of the city’s business district.
The project aims to modernize aging infrastructure while improving the experience of pedestrians, motorists, commuters, and visitors.
City Engineer Richard Lardizabal said the redevelopment will focus on several areas, including:
- Widening sidewalks on both sides of Session Road.
- Improving loading and unloading facilities.
- Rehabilitating deteriorated drainage and sewer systems.
- Introducing rainwater-management features.
- Incorporating additional greenery into the streetscape.
- Improving traffic management and pedestrian accessibility.
Rather than simply resurfacing the road, the proposed work addresses infrastructure beneath and alongside the street.
These improvements are intended to help Session Road accommodate its role as both a transportation corridor and a major commercial destination.
How Much Will the Redevelopment Cost?
The redevelopment has a reported budget of ₱150 million, with funding coming from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
TIEZA is a government agency responsible for supporting tourism infrastructure development across the Philippines.
The project was originally planned with an allocation of approximately ₱120 million.
However, the earlier redevelopment did not proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when government priorities shifted toward emergency response and healthcare requirements.
The renewed plan carries a higher funding amount and a target implementation year of 2027.
The announced budget represents the planned project funding. It should not be interpreted as money already spent or as a final construction contract amount.
What Will Change Along Session Road?
The proposed redevelopment includes improvements that could significantly change how people move through and use the street.
1. Wider Sidewalks for Pedestrians
One of the main improvements involves expanding pedestrian space along both sides of Session Road.
The street attracts large numbers of shoppers, students, office workers, tourists, and commuters throughout the year.
Wider sidewalks could make walking more comfortable, particularly during weekends, holidays, and peak tourism periods.
They could also improve accessibility for elderly visitors, families with children, and people with mobility challenges.
However, the final sidewalk dimensions and accessibility specifications have not yet been publicly detailed in the reports reviewed.
2. Improved Loading and Unloading Areas
Session Road is an important access route for public transportation and commercial establishments.
The redevelopment includes plans for improved loading and unloading bays.
Better-organized passenger stops could reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians while improving traffic circulation.
The effectiveness of these changes will depend on the final design and enforcement of traffic regulations.
3. Rehabilitation of Drainage and Sewer Systems
Baguio experiences substantial rainfall, particularly during the southwest monsoon and typhoon season.
Aging drainage systems can contribute to localized flooding, standing water, and deterioration of road infrastructure.
The proposed redevelopment includes repairs to deteriorated drainage and sewer facilities.
These improvements could help the city better manage rainwater and reduce infrastructure-related problems.
4. Rainwater-Absorbing Green Spaces
An interesting feature of the project is the planned introduction of bioretention areas.
These are landscaped spaces designed to collect, absorb, and filter stormwater runoff.
Instead of allowing all rainwater to flow immediately across paved surfaces, bioretention areas can help manage runoff through soil, plants, and engineered drainage layers.
They may also improve the appearance of the street by incorporating vegetation into the urban environment.
However, their actual drainage performance will depend on engineering design, maintenance, and local conditions.
5. Better Traffic Management
The city also intends to improve traffic flow along Session Road.
This could involve reorganizing loading areas, improving pedestrian crossings, and adjusting how vehicles use available road space.
Detailed traffic-management plans have not yet been released.
As a result, it is too early to conclude whether the redevelopment will reduce travel times or significantly change existing traffic patterns.
Will Session Road Close During Construction?
This is likely to be the biggest concern for residents and tourists.
According to City Engineer Richard Lardizabal, the redevelopment is planned to proceed in sections rather than through a complete closure of Session Road.
The phased approach is intended to maintain traffic movement while construction is underway.
However, partial road restrictions, temporary pedestrian diversions, changes to loading areas, and traffic delays remain possible.
The city has not yet announced a detailed construction timetable or specific road sections that will be affected first.
Visitors planning trips to Baguio in 2027 should check official city advisories before traveling.
How Could the Redevelopment Affect Businesses?
Session Road is home to restaurants, cafés, shops, hotels, banks, and other commercial establishments.
Construction along such a busy commercial corridor could temporarily affect customer access, deliveries, parking arrangements, and pedestrian movement.
Businesses located near active construction sections may experience inconvenience even if the entire street remains open.
Lardizabal has acknowledged concerns about possible disruption to businesses, traffic arrangements, and the relocation of plants.
The phased construction plan is intended to help manage some of these issues.
Nevertheless, the city will need to communicate construction schedules and access arrangements clearly to affected establishments.
For business owners, early notice of construction activities will be particularly important during peak tourism periods.
Why Session Road Matters to Baguio
Session Road is more than an ordinary city street.
It is one of Baguio’s best-known landmarks and a central part of the city’s identity.
For many visitors, walking along Session Road is part of the Baguio experience.
The area connects commercial establishments, public transportation, restaurants, shops, and nearby tourist destinations.
It also plays a major role in local economic activity.
Changes to the street can therefore affect not only transportation but also tourism, business operations, and the overall character of the city.
A successful redevelopment would need to balance modernization with the street’s historical and cultural significance.
Will Session Road Become Pedestrian-Only?
There has been no confirmed announcement that the entire road will permanently become pedestrian-only as part of the 2027 redevelopment.
The current plans emphasize wider sidewalks, improved traffic arrangements, and phased construction that allows continued vehicle movement.
That distinction is important.
Widening sidewalks does not automatically mean banning cars from Session Road.
Any permanent changes to vehicle access would require separate confirmation from city authorities.
How Does the Project Fit Into Baguio’s Tourism Development?
Baguio has been pursuing infrastructure improvements intended to preserve its tourism appeal while addressing urban challenges.
The Session Road redevelopment is part of that broader direction.
TIEZA has also supported improvements to other Baguio landmarks, including Burnham Park.
In September 2026, TIEZA officials highlighted the completion of the first phase of Burnham Park rehabilitation, involving Burnham Lake, and discussed further improvements planned for the park.
These projects reflect an ongoing effort to improve public spaces and tourism facilities.
For Baguio, the challenge is to accommodate tourism and economic activity while maintaining the character that makes the city attractive to visitors.
What Tourists Should Know Before Visiting in 2027
If you are planning a Baguio trip next year, the redevelopment does not necessarily mean you should avoid Session Road.
However, visitors should be prepared for possible changes once construction begins.
Check official announcements for temporary road restrictions and pedestrian access arrangements.
Allow additional travel time when moving through the central business district, particularly during weekends and holidays.
Businesses may remain open even when construction is taking place nearby.
It is also worth checking with hotels or accommodations located along Session Road about possible access arrangements.
Until a final construction schedule is announced, specific disruption dates cannot be confirmed.
When Will the Session Road Redevelopment Be Completed?
The project is targeted to begin in 2027.
However, as of October 12, 2026, the reports reviewed do not provide a confirmed construction start date or completion deadline.
Several important details remain outstanding, including:
- The final engineering design.
- Procurement and contractor selection.
- Construction phases and schedules.
- Temporary traffic arrangements.
- The estimated duration of the work.
- Final accessibility and pedestrian design specifications.
These details will determine how the project affects residents and visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Session Road redevelopment begin?
The Baguio City government is targeting 2027, but an exact construction start date has not yet been confirmed.
How much is the Session Road project?
The reported project budget is ₱150 million.
Who is funding the redevelopment?
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is providing the reported funding.
Will Session Road be completely closed?
City officials say construction is planned in sections rather than through a complete road closure. Temporary restrictions may still occur.
What improvements are planned?
The project includes wider sidewalks, better loading and unloading facilities, drainage and sewer rehabilitation, rainwater-management features, greenery, and traffic improvements.
Will Session Road become pedestrian-only?
No permanent pedestrian-only conversion has been confirmed as part of the announced redevelopment.
Will shops and restaurants remain open?
The phased construction approach is intended to maintain access, but individual businesses could experience temporary disruptions. Specific arrangements have not yet been announced.
Is there a confirmed completion date?
Not yet. The project is targeted for 2027, but its final implementation timetable remains to be announced.
The Bottom Line
Baguio’s planned ₱150-million Session Road redevelopment could bring important improvements to one of the Philippines’ most recognizable urban destinations.
Wider sidewalks, upgraded drainage, improved passenger loading areas, and greener public spaces could make the street more comfortable and functional for residents and tourists.
But the project’s success will depend on more than the proposed design.
Construction management, transparency in public spending, business access, traffic arrangements, and the preservation of Session Road’s character will all matter.
For now, 2027 remains the target year, with detailed construction schedules still to be announced.
Residents, business owners, and visitors should watch for further updates from the Baguio City government.
The Daily Caffeine will continue following the redevelopment, including project bidding, construction schedules, traffic advisories, and completion milestones.
