3rd soil test on Aganan flyover sought after discrepancies in first two tests

ILOILO – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 is pushing for the engagement of a thirdparty consultant to perform a third soil test on the P802million Aganan flyover in Barangay Aganan, Pavia town.

This flyover, which features a 50-meter span intersection design subject to potential revisions, has been the subject of two differing soil test results.

The initial test conducted by the United Technology Consolidated Partnership ( UTCP) and a confirmatory test by DPWH-6 have shown significant discrepancies.

DPWH-6’s move to secure a third-party consultant follows concerns that the Aganan flyover could face similar issues to the P680- million Ungka flyover, also in Pavia, which experienced vertical displacement due to the soft soil it was built on.

UTCP, tasked by the Bureau of Design (BOD) of the DPWHCentral Office with conducting soil tests and designing both flyovers, has yet to respond to the findings from the confirmatory test, prompting DPWH-6 to consider hiring an independent firm for a third analysis.

According to Engr. Sanny Boy Orope l , DPWH- 6’ s officer- in- charge regional director, the goal is to resolve the discrepancies between the initial and confirmatory tests to determine the most appropriate materials for the flyover’s intersection design.

He e mphasi z e d t he importance of an unbiased third-party evaluation to guide the project’s direction and avoid further delays.

DPWH- 6 i s seeking a budget of between P10 million and P15 million for the thirdparty consultation, with assurances that the soil testing process can be expedited once funding is secured.

T h e d e l a y i n t h e construction of the Aganan f lyover, particularly the installation of girders at the intersection, has been attributed by DPWH- 6 to UTCP’s lack of response to the result of the confirmatory test.

Work on t he Aganan flyover has been paused since December 2022 as a precautionary measure.

Assistant Regional Director Jose Al Fruto said DPWH6 is considering the use of steel girders for the 50-meter span intersection instead of concrete./

The Department of Public Works and Highways Region 6 seeks a budget of between P10 million and P15 million for the third-party consultation, with assurances that the soil testing process on the Aganan flyover can be expedited once funding is secured.