ILOILO City – The P480-million flyover being constructed in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo is supposed to be completed in 18 months only. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), however, is now saying it won’t be able to beat the deadline.
Construction started in January 2020. According to Engineer Al Fruto, assistant regional director, the coronavirus pandemic pushed back farther the original deadline of July 2021 to one whole year.
“Wala dayon na-release ang pundo,” said Fruto.
The DPWH central office was supposed to release the fund for the several phases of construction in the early quarter of 2020 but this was delayed to late last year, he revealed.
“So, basically daw isa ka tuig ang gin-delay sang implementation,” Fruto told Panay News.
The fund was given late so the contractor, International Builders Corp. (IBC), was also left hanging in midair, he explained.
“Major works like pag-obra sang girders, amo na ang na-delay. Indi man mapwersa ang contractor kay wala pundo,” said Fruto.
Yesterday, traffic-choked lanes signaled the start of a weeklong installation of the first set of girders on the 453.70-meter flyover.
According to Fruto, due to the coronavirus pandemic “nag-untat gid kita more than a month sang construction.”
At the height of the community quarantine last year, work was put on hold; DPWH had to wait for protocols that construction workers must observe.
NEW TIMELINE
Now DPWH-6 is setting a new target date of completion: first quarter of 2022, “barring any untoward circumstances.”
Fruto also expressed confidence that they could beat the new deadline.
“Kay na-download naman sa DPWH-6 ang pundo para sa completion,” he said.
After the installation of the girders, the DPWH would install a deck or riding surface. Work for road widening on either side of the flyover would begin, too.
A four-lane road (two lanes on both sides) is being planned.
Those residing parallel to the flyover’s stretch would surely be affected but Fruto said there is an ongoing negotiation with them.
P480M to P680M
Including the upgrade of roads and the construction of the detour road from Barangay Aganan, Pavia going to Barangay Sambag, Jaro district, Fruto said the new total budget for the flyover construction has risen to P680 million.
“This would be enough to complete the project including the other features,” he said.
The temporary road enclosure – from the U-turn slot near the exit of Christ the King in Barangay Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City up to the intersection of the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue and President Corazon Aquino Avenue (Circumferential Road) – will end on Sunday, March 21. Work on the flyover is from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The DPWH, in coordination with the local government unit of Pavia, set these alternative routes:
* For motorists from Balabago, Jaro district; Leganes and Dumangas going to Iloilo City:
1. Circumferential Road to Barangay Tacas–Quintin Salas–Jaro Plaza
2. Circumferential Road–Buhang–Jaro Plaza
3. Iloilo Capiz Road (New Route)–Jaro Plaza
*For motorists from Iloilo City going to central towns (Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, Maasin, Janiuay, Lambunao, and Calinog)
1. Jaro–Quintin Salas–Barangay Tacas–Pavia Road
2. Jaro–Circumferential Road–City Mall Pavia–Pavia
3. Jaro–Mandurriao–Jibao-an–Circumferential Road–Pavia
* For motorists from central towns
1. Pavia–Barangay Tacas–Quintin Salas–Jaro Plaza
2. Pavia–Barangay Jibao-an–(Bangga Singko)–Mandurriao
3. Sta. Barbara–Taft Street–Agutayan Road–Pagsanga-an Road–Tacas, Jaro district
4. Pavia–Circumferential Road–Old Railway Road–Ungka ITGSI Terminal/PN
