ILOILO – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 assured that jet grouting activities at the Aganan Flyover in Barangay Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo, will commence anytime this week.
Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel said they are awaiting the transfer of jet grouting machines to the site by the contractor, International Builders Corporation (IBC), before full-scale operations can begin.
“We have started putting up barriers and enclosures in preparation for the jet grouting activity. We are just waiting for the machines to be transferred to piers 6 and 7 so that we can start simultaneously within the week,” Oropel told Panay News.
Preliminary works, including road enclosures, barrier installations, and traffic signage placements, are already underway to guide motorists and mitigate congestion once work begins.
IBC remains responsible for carrying out the jet grouting activity, utilizing the remaining budget allocated for the project’s completion.
Oropel disclosed that around P275 million is needed for the jet grouting process. However, with only less than P200 million left from the P802 million originally allocated for the flyover, the timeline for completion may be affected.
“I cannot provide an exact completion date for the jet grouting because we are still waiting for the remaining P275 million. If the full amount is released, the process can be completed in about three months. However, since we are working with the remaining budget from the original contract, the timeline will be impacted,” Oropel explained.
Previously, DPWH estimated that IBC would take about three and a half months to complete jet grouting for the 21 piers of the flyover.
The contractor will begin with the 50-meter intersection area to facilitate the installation of coping beams and steel girders. Once this section is completed, jet grouting will continue for the remaining piers that already have girders, expediting the placement of the superstructure.
Technical Adjustments and Soil Testing Discrepancies
The jet grouting activity is based on recommendations from Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants, the firm hired to conduct a geotechnical investigation for the flyover.
A third-party consultant was engaged after DPWH-6 found discrepancies in soil test results conducted by United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP) and confirmatory tests performed by DPWH-6.
According to UTCP’s findings, a hard soil layer was detected at 24 meters, which was the basis for the initial foundation depth. However, DPWH-6’s tests indicated that the hard layer was actually at 40 meters or deeper, raising concerns about the flyover’s foundation.
UTCP was contracted by the Bureau of Design (BOD) of DPWH-Central Office for soil testing and design of both the Aganan and Ungka flyovers.
Traffic Advisory and Alternate Routes
DPWH-6 reiterated its previously issued traffic advisory, urging motorists to anticipate congestion along the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue, from Aganan Bridge to the Felix Gorriceta Avenue intersection, due to the jet grouting work.
DPWH apologized in advance for any inconvenience, particularly during rush hours, and advised motorists — especially private vehicle owners — to take alternate routes.
For vehicles traveling from Santa Barbara, Iloilo to Iloilo City, DPWH recommends taking the Purok II (Poblacion) route in Pavia, passing through Pavia Town Proper (Purok III) and Purok IV (Poblacion Area) before re-entering Barangay Aganan.
To ensure smooth traffic flow, the local government unit of Pavia will deploy signages and traffic enforcers in affected areas./PN
