Buhang flyover may open this week
ILOILO City – Motorists could soon use the P315million Buhang flyover at the Iloilo Circumferential Road and Iloilo- Capiz Road ( new route) intersection in the Jaro district.
The flyover’s construction is “almost complete,” according to
Engr. Edward Sudario, chief of the construction department of the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO).
The remaining work left for project contractor F. Gurrea Construction Inc. includes some painting and clearing operations.
“Puede na gid sia maopen by next week,” said Sudario in an interview on Thursday, May 11.
He added: “Ang Buhang fly over is ga may na lang, almost complete na gid sia. May rectification works na lang like painting. Gamay na gid lang kag gina-amat-amat na clearing naman.”
He also said the contractor will try to have the damaged portion of the road beneath the flyover temporarily fixed with an asphalt overlay. It will be cemented during a road widening once the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 has secured funds from its central office.
DPWH-6 assistant director Jose Al Fruto said the ICDEO will impose regulations to protect the structure, like restricting articulated trucks, more than three-axle vehicles, dump trucks with more than 10 wheels, wing vans, bicycles, tricycles, and motorcycles.
Sudario explained that the use of motorcycles, tricycles and bicycles on the flyover is prohibited because they could slide down the slopes, particularly at the approaches on both ends.
To ensure that the restrictions are followed, t he Public Safety and Transportation Management Office ( PSTMO) of the city government will be placing signage and employing traffic auxiliaries at both ends of the flyover.
Sudario also said no displacement or physical distress was seen in the structure.
“Wala movement, okay sia,” he said.
A three-day dry run was conducted on March 29 to 31 using survey instruments to monitor the flyover’s structural behavior while loaded with light vehicles, sixwheelers, and below.
The ICDEO engineers, headed by District Engineer Cesar Hipona Jr., observed the flyover’s behavior.
The Buhang flyover has a length of 340 linear meters and a width of 10.34 meters.
Construction began in late 2020 and is supposed to be completed by the end of 2022. However, due to several weather disturbances that hit the region throughout the period, the contractor had difficulty sourcing quarry materials.
The Bu hang fly over is expected to ease traffic congestion at the intersection of the Iloilo Circumferential Road and the Iloilo-Capiz Road (new route), especially during rush hours.
DPWH listed the two-lane Buhang flyover as a highimpact project./