ILOILO City – In Jan. 9, 2015 the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inaugurated what it touted to be a first of its kind in Western Visayas – a pedestrian overpass with two elevators on the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (formerly Diversion Road) in Mandurriao district.
Four years after, the city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) is asking DPWH Region 6: What happened to the elevators?
The elevators were intended for persons with disabilities (PWDs), the elderly and pregnant women who were having a hard time crossing the widened avenue. But these haven’t been operational for years already.
“We will ask DPWH what’s the problem. Does it need new elevators? We want to assess if the PSTMO has the means to provide the overpass with new ones,” said PSTMO chief Jeck Conlu.
Acting on the frequent vehicular accidents on the avenue, the PSTMO is finding ways to improve the traffic situation on the busy thoroughfare. The pedestrian overpass and its nonfunctional elevators caught its attention.
Conlu observed that the overpass had degenerated into a dirty “comfort room” and that very few pedestrians were using it to cross the avenue.
“We want those elevators to function as intended. Does DPWH need personnel to operate the elevators? Perhaps we could provide the manpower,” said Conlu.
During its inauguration graced by Sen. Franklin Drilon four years ago, the overpass was described as “state-of-the-art.”
With a length of 50.235 meters and a width of three meters, it cost P19,302,321. Funds came from the Road Board.
The DPWH Region 6 director at the time the overpass was constructed was Edilberto Tayao. He said it would reduce traffic congestion on the avenue.
“Pedestrians, most especially PDWs, would be able to go to various establishments along the Diversion Road without crossing the main road. The city government encourages the contribution of private entities to the development and maintenance of this project,” Tayao further said.
The pedestrian overpass was built as an additional feature of the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue expansion project, which also included bike and pedestrian lanes./PN
