ILOILO – The asphalt overlaying on the piers and the unsightly hole on the deck slab of the Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia town are nothing to worry about, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6.
DPWH-6 officer-in-charge director Sanny Boy Oropel assured commuters and motorists of this.
“To provide safe and convenient travel sa aton nga commuters, so gin-rectify ang mga damaged nga concrete pavement,” Oropel told Panay News, referring to the asphalt works.
Since the geotechnical investigation, including soil testing, was conducted by the third-party consulting firm from March to May this year, excavated portions were repaired by the project contractor, International Builders Corporation (IBC).
Meanwhile, the asphalt overlay on the concrete pavement is just a routine maintenance activity.
“This is a routine activity done by our District Engineering Office, which we introduced kay may mga guba nga pavement nga na-observe da,” Oropel added.
Hole in the flyover’s superstructure
The hole right on the deck slab, near the flyover’s pier 6, was created on purpose to drain the water pooling above quickly.
“Since may deflection nga na-observe sa aton pier 6, dira nagapundo ang tubig. So, para ma-drain naton deretso kag dasig, ginbuhoan sang contractor,” Oropel explained.
According to Oropel, the hole has been around for quite a while, and it is possible that the public only recently noticed it.
The DPWH has no plans to have the contractor cover the hole because once the rectification of the flyover starts, the girders or superstructure will be removed.
“Once the rectification recommended by Adam Abinales starts, it will definitely… Kuhaan na da ang babaw nga span eh. Meaning to say waay problema sa buho kay gub-on man gihapon sa ulihi,” Oropel added.
With this, the DPWH-6 chief confirmed receiving a copy of the final recommendation of Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants last week. However, it is still being evaluated by DPWH-6 and the central office’s Bureau of Design.
“Give us some time to evaluate; this is a highly technical matter that we cannot decide on one day,” appealed Oropel./PN
