ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 is asking for more time to make an informed decision regarding the extension of operating hours of the Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo this holiday season.
Currently, the flyover’s two inner lanes are open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for light vehicles.
The extension was requested by the Sangguniang Bayan of Pavia and Cong. Michael Gorriceta of Iloilo’s 2nd District, citing the traffic congestion in the area.
DPWH-6 officer-in-charge Engineer Sanny Boy Oropel said his office is currently assessing whether there has been an increase in the volume of vehicles in the Ungka area.
They have planned a meeting this week with the local government unit (LGU) of Pavia and the Iloilo City Government, focusing on traffic management, to gather updated traffic volume data.
Oropel also told Panay News he had communicated with Congressman Gorriceta, seeking more time and consideration before reaching a decision.
Besides vehicle volume, Oropel is factoring in the equipment deployment by the winning bidder for jet grouting work on 13 piers of the Ungka flyover, likely to begin post-Christmas.
He planned to examine the contractor’s jet grouting equipment and its potential impact on traffic under the flyover.
If it leads to congestion, they may decide to extend the flyover’s hours to accommodate motorists.
The decision will also depend on the contractor’s jet grouting methodology.
The jet grouting of the 13 piers is the initial step in the flyover’s rectification process.
“We are evaluating all options, so we ask for patience. The holiday season is certainly a factor in our considerations,” Oropel said, acknowledging the widespread desire to keep the flyover open for longer hours.
Congressman Gorriceta sent a letter to Oropel last week, urging the consideration of longer flyover hours to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly during the holiday season.
“The flyover, straddling the border of Iloilo City and the second district, is vital for our constituents’ travel. I respectfully request its full reopening from December 2023 to January 2024 to handle the increased traffic and reduce congestion during these busy months,” Gorriceta wrote./PN
