ILOILO City – Bidding for the repair of the Ungka flyover will commence on Nov. 28.
Qualified contractors are invited to participate, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6.
DPWH-6 is awaiting the first tranche of the P100-million rectification budget from their central office, expected to be released before this week is over.
Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, DPWH-6 officer-in-charge, said the project particularly seeks those experienced in jet grouting.
DPWH-6 plans to start jet grouting of the flyover’s 13 piers by late December.
This repair work takes into account the anticipated increase in traffic due to the holiday season and the upcoming Dinagyang Festival in January 2024.
During the repairs, the flyover might be partially open to light vehicles to ease traffic flow, said Oropel.
A second tranche of the budget, amounting to P200 million from the General Appropriations Act (GAA), is expected to follow. This fund will be used for more extensive repairs, including the replacement of spans between specific piers and deepening the bored piles of certain piers from 28 meters to 47 meters.
The full closure of the flyover is planned post-Dinagyang Festival, with the subsequent bidding process for these works projected to start around March or April.
Oropel said the bidding is open to all qualified contractors, including the original contractor of the flyover, International Builders Corporation (IBC).
Engr. Adam Abinales of Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants has previously recommended additional bored piles as a solution for the settlement issues of some piers. This approach will enhance the overall pile capacity but may require the removal and replacement of existing prestressed concrete girders. For other piers, underpinning with intensive jet grouting is advised, reaching depths of up to 100 meters.
Currently, the inner lanes of the Ungka flyover are operational during specific hours from Monday to Saturday.
DPWH-6 aims to complete the rectification by July 2024 and fully reopen the flyover by the first week of August 2024, weather permitting./PN
