ILOILO CITY – Despite no repairs done, the sinking flyover in Iloilo that was one of the last pet projects of former Ilonggo Sen. Franklin Drilon partially reopened on Friday, September 22.
LIGHT vehicles use the Ungka Flyover in Iloilo as it partially reopens on Friday, September 22, despite structural defects and no repairs made. (Video grab from Samantha Grab)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 allowed light vehicles to traverse the inner lane of the flyover that straddles Iloilo City and Pavia town.
The DPWH-6 decided to partially reopen the flyover that has been closed for over a year to ease heavy traffic, especially during rush hours.
“There is a scientific basis why we reopened the flyover,” said DPWH-6 Director Sanny Boy Oropel on Saturday, September 23.
The reopening was subject to several limitations. The inner lanes of the P680-million Ungka Flyover are only open to light vehicles from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“We will continuously monitor the flyover for the safety of everyone,” Oropel said.
The flyover reopened more than a year after it was closed to traffic when it showed signs of defects that were later attributed to unstable soil condition in the area.
A third-party consultancy firm hired by DPWH recommended the bored piles in three separate sections must be replaced as the one of the major foundations sits on liquefiable soil.
The partial reopening of Ungka Flyover is only temporary. The entire flyover will be closed once repairs are done. However, there is no budget yet for the activity.