ILOILO City – The P315-million Buhang flyover at the Iloilo Circumferential Road – Iloilo-Capiz Road (new route) intersection in Jaro district opened yesterday for a three-day dry run until Friday, March 31.
The Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 intends to fully open the flyover “sa third week of April leading to the last week,” said Assistant Regional Director Jose Al Fruto.
But he wasn’t sure there would be an inauguration ceremony.
For the dry run, only light vehicles, six-wheelers and below, are allowed to use the flyover from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Articulated trucks, more than three-axle vehicles, dump trucks with more than 10 wheels, wing vans, bicycles, tricycles, and motorcycles are not allowed.
To ensure that the restriction is followed, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) of the city government placed traffic auxiliaries at both ends of the flyover.
After 4 p.m., the flyover will be temporarily closed.
Fruto said the three-day dry run is for ICDEO engineers, headed by District Engineer Cesar Hipona Jr., to observe the behavior of the flyover when light vehicles pass.
“We do the monitoring sang behavior sang structure and how it will accommodate the traffic; paano sia mangin epektibo in terms of easing up the traffic dira sa intersection, and of course, ang willingness and readiness sang aton motorists nga magamit sang flyover,” Fruto explained to Panay News yesterday.
So far yesterday, DPWH observed no behavioral changes in the structure.
Fruto expressed confidence that the Buhang flyover will not be like the controversial P680-million Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia which suffered from vertical displacement two weeks into its operation.
The Buhang flyover, built by project contractor F. Gurrea Construction Inc., has a length of 340 linear meters and a width of 10.34 meters.
It is expected to ease the traffic congestion at the intersection of the Iloilo Circumferential Road and the Iloilo-Capiz Road (new route), especially during rush hours.
Early this month, Fruto said DPWH-6 is planning to invite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lead the inauguration of the Buhang flyover.
The DPWH listed the two-lane Buhang flyover as one of the high-impact projects in Western Visayas.
A high-impact project, Fruto said, provides significant benefits and services to the public regardless of funding.
Widening of Buhang roads
The concreting of the road under the Buhang flyover will be funded by 2024, according to Fruto.
In the meantime, the ICDEO will maintain the road against potholes.
Once there is a budget, aside from concreting the road, drainage and street lighting will be installed.
“Kay aton pundo this year is just really enough to open the flyover. So, may ara pa kita nga ginalantaw to really complete the facility, including roads, drainage, and additional lighting,”added Fruto./PN
