The southbound portion of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover in Quezon City will be reopened in August after undergoing major repairs, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Saturday, July 13.
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR) regional director Loreta Malaluan said the major repairs conducted on the EDSA-Kamuning flyover are prior to schedule.
“Nasabi na namin na matatapos ang southbound portion by October. Pero inaasahan namin na ito ay makukumpleto sa katapusan ng Agosto, na nagpapahintulot sa amin na buksan ito para sa mga sasakyan (We said previously that we will be able to finish the southbound portion by October. But we expect that it will be finished by the end of August, and we will be able to allow it for vehicle use),” Malaluan said.
She said the retrofitting of the lower section of the flyover is expected to be finished by the end of the year.
“Sinimulan na namin ang lower portion. Inaasahan natin na bago matapos ang taon ay makakapagtapos tayo dahil naglalagay tayo ng SP Chain bilang paghahanda sa lindol o ang tinatawag na Big One (We started the lower portion. We expect to be able to finish by the end of the year since we are putting up an SP Chain in preparation for the earthquake or the so-called Big One)," she said.
Malaluan said that once the EDSA-Kamuning flyover is opened, the DPWH will prioritize the restoration of the Magallanes flyover.
“Papalitan natin ang expansion joints ng Magallanes flyover (We will replace the expansion joints of the Magallanes flyover),” she said.
Malaluan said the replacement of the expansion joints is considered a minor repair.
“Kapag nasimulan na natin ito sa August, ang sabi ng kontrata ay matatapos ito sa March 2025. Pero inaasahan natin na matatapos ito bago matapos ang taon (Once we start it in August, the contract says it will be finished by March 2025. But we are expecting that it will be completed before the end of the year),” Malaluan said.
Meanwhile, she clarified that the rehabilitation of the Guadalupe bridge is a project of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and not the DPWH-NCR.
“Kaya ang namamahala doon ay ang DPWH unified project office (So the one in charge there is the DPWH unified project office)," Malaluan said.
“Ang inihayag ay magsisimula na ito bago matapos ang taon. Pero hindi ito ganap na sarado sa mga motorista kasi gagawa ng detour o parallel bridge para mabayaran ang posibleng kaguluhan na mabubuo ng pagsasaayos sa panahon ng rehabilitasyon, at para ma-accommodate ang mga motoristang maaapektuhan nito (What was announced was that it would begin before the end of the year. However, it will not be completely closed to motorists because a diversion or parallel bridge will be erected to compensate for the possible disruption that the repair would produce during the rehabilitation, and to accommodate the motorists that may be affected by this),” she added.
The DPWH official also guaranteed the public that the construction company responsible for the repairs on flyovers and bridges in Metro Manila is a reputable contractor.
“Kahit na ang pangalan nito ay isang chemical company, ang contractor ay eksperto sa paggawa ng mga tulay, lalo na sa retrofitting at civil works construction. Marami na silang kinontrata na proyekto sa DPWH (Although its name is a chemical company, the contractor is an expert in building bridges, especially in retrofitting and civil works construction. They have already contracted many projects with the DPWH)," Malaluan said.