ILOILO City – To expedite the repair of the Aganan flyover in Barangay Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 is considering utilizing a portion of the remaining fund allocated for the flyover’s completion to finance jet grouting for 21 piers.
According to DPWH-6 records, out of the P802 million allotted for the flyover’s completion, P308 million remains unutilized.
Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel said a third-party consultant, Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants, recommended increasing the depth of the flyover’s piers to reach a more stable ground layer. The proposed method is jet grouting, similar to the technique used in the repair of the flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia.
“While waiting for the funds earmarked for the rectification, we might as well use a portion of the remaining amount intended for Aganan’s completion to finance the rectification while waiting for additional fund releases,” Oropel told Panay News.
DPWH-6 is seeking approval from the DPWH Central Office to use part of the P308 million fund for the repair. Once approved, jet grouting is expected to commence by the third week of February 2025.
The International Builders Corporation (IBC), the winning contractor for both the Aganan and Ungka flyovers, will undertake the jet grouting work.
Why IBC?
Oropel explained that since IBC was awarded the P802-million Aganan flyover project, and the repair will be funded from the same allocation, it is logical for IBC to carry out the jet grouting.
The contractor is also experienced in the procedure, having performed similar work on the Ungka flyover’s piers, added Oropel.
Based on estimates, jet grouting for the 21 piers will require around P210 million, given that costs for the Ungka flyover repair averaged P10 million per pier.
“Considering the depth and number of boreholes per pier for jet grouting, our estimate is P10 million per pier. Since Aganan has 21 piers, we anticipate needing approximately P210 million,” Oropel said.
DPWH-6 engaged a third-party consultant for the Aganan flyover due to inconsistencies in soil test results conducted by United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP) and confirmatory and seismic tests performed by DPWH-6.
UTCP’s data suggested that stable soil was reached at a depth of 24 meters, which became the basis for pier placement. However, DPWH-6’s confirmatory and seismic tests found that stable soil was present at depths of 40 meters or more.
The Bureau of Design (BOD) of the DPWH Central Office had contracted UTCP to conduct soil testing and design both the Aganan and Ungka flyovers.
Meanwhile, Oropel confirmed that the revised design for the 50-meter center span of the flyover is now final. The span will be changed from concrete girders to steel girders to prevent displacement due to its length.
The installation of steel girders will also be more convenient, as it can be conducted at night to minimize traffic disruption in the area, said Oropel./PN
