ILOILO City – Light vehicles will be allowed to use the Ungka flyover at any time this week.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 has deemed this the most feasible solution to alleviate traffic in the Ungka area, which spans Pavia town in Iloilo province and Jaro district here.
DPWH-6 officer-in-charge, Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, made the announcement during a press conference yesterday, saying, “We expect to open it on either Thursday or Friday. We’ve waited for so long; please bear with us for just one more day.”
A dry run for traffic flow management at the flyover is scheduled for today.
The decision to reopen the flyover came after it showed no signs of displacement, especially on piers 4, 5, and 6, following a week-long series of dynamic load tests conducted at the end of August.
DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan and Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo were presented the results of the load tests, with input from Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants.
“We hope for the best. Our continuous monitoring provided us with the data. There has been no additional vertical movement since January after the contractor introduced jet grouting,” said Oropel.
Restrictions
However, the reopening of the flyover comes with certain regulations:
* Only the two inner lanes of the four-lane flyover will be open.
* Access to the flyover will be restricted to rush hours, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Beyond these hours, barriers will block access to the flyover.
Only four-wheeled vehicles, such as traditional jeepneys, modernized units, and private vehicles, will be permitted on the flyover. Motorcycles, bicycles, and tricycles will not be allowed.
An overhead “gantry” will be installed to ensure that only authorized vehicles use the flyover.
“We have established an improvised height limit for vehicles as our basis for determining which vehicles are allowed to use the Ungka flyover,” said Oropel.
To ensure motorist compliance, DPWH-6 has sought the support and cooperation of the local government unit (LGU) of Pavia and the Iloilo City Government, which will deploy traffic enforcers in the area.
Additionally, the project contractor, International Builders Corporation (IBC), will provide traffic signage and bollards to guide motorists.
“By installing bollards, we ensure the safety of commuters. Once the contractor provides these, we can open the flyover at any time,” Oropel said.
Slight relief
The reopening of the flyover is expected to bring relief to commuters as it will alleviate traffic at the intersections of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue and President Corazon Aquino Avenue, according to Jeck Conlu, head of the Iloilo City Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO).
“Salamat gid, bisan paano kon buksan ta na, makatilaw man himaya ang aton nga commuters,” said Conlu.
He also said the city government is prepared to provide support and manpower to manage traffic in the area.
Short reopening
However, Oropel requested understanding and consideration from the public, as the flyover may have a short reopening period. Once funds for rectifications are released, the flyover will close again to traffic.
“I want to emphasize that anytime funds are released by the DPWH central office for rectification, the flyover will be closed again. That’s why I am seeking your understanding if we open it, knowing it might need to be closed again,” he said.
Three spans or superstructures above piers 4, 5, and 6 will be demolished to facilitate repairs, particularly for heavy equipment to add bored piles.
“Spans 4 to 5, 5 to 6, and 6 to 7…these three spans will be removed to make way for construction activity and to allow our equipment to be repositioned,” Oropel explained.
The bored piles on piers 4, 5, and 6 are currently only 28 meters deep, and the rectification process will extend their depth by approximately 47 meters./PN
