ILOILO – The P315-million Buhang flyover at the Iloilo Circumferential Road / Iloilo-Capiz Road (new route) intersection in Jaro district will open to motorists this April.
No displacement or physical distress was seen in the structure during the dry run from March 29 to 31, according to District Engineer Cesar Hipona Jr. of the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO).
“Ready na ini to accommodate traffic,” said Engineer Jose Al Fruto, assistant director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6.
The ICDEO used survey instruments to monitor the flyover’s structural behavior while loaded with light vehicles, six-wheelers and below.
Fruto said the ICDEO will impose regulations to protect the structure like restricting articulated trucks, more than three-axle vehicles, dump trucks with more than 10 wheels, wing vans, bicycles, tricycles, and motorcycles.
“Amo man ina ang gina-set nga guidelines sa iban nga flyovers,” added Fruto.
To ensure that the restrictions are followed, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) of the city government will be placing traffic auxiliaries at both ends of the flyover.
The tentative schedule to open the flyover is the third or fourth week of this month, with the ongoing clearing and housekeeping operations by project contractor F. Gurrea Construction Inc.
The ICDEO and DPWH-6 are still in talks about the inauguration. The definite schedule and list of guests will also be known after Holy Week.
Fruto has not yet confirmed if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be invited.
“Tentative nga schedule later part or third week, basta within the month of April, amo na ang pronouncement sang district engineer. Siguro ma-istoryahan na after Holy Week kon paano ang pagpatigayon sang inagurasyon and pagbukas sang flyover,” added Fruto.
A few weeks ago, the DPWH-6 planned to invite the President to the inauguration of the Buhang flyover.
DPWH listed the two-lane Buhang flyover as one of the high-impact projects in Western Visayas to be inaugurated by the President.
A high-impact project, Fruto said, provides significant benefits and services to the public regardless of funding.
Fruto also said the result of the three-day dry run “somehow” encouraged motorists to use the flyover amid controversies hounding the Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, which has been closed for safety since September last year due to vertical displacement.
“Ining dry run test man sa aton motorists on how ready they are nga gamiton ang facility if there is hesitance because of nagakatabu sa iban naton nga project. And nakita man naton nga daw accepted man sang aton motoring public of fully using the Buhang flyover,” said Fruto.
The Buhang flyover 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.
It has a length of 340 linear meters and a width of 10.34 meters. Its construction began in 2020./PN
