By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
A temporary two-way traffic scheme will be implemented at the Ungka Flyover, the Department of Public Works and Highways Western Visayas (DPWH-6) announced as it rushes to meet the Dec. 25 deadline for the flyover’s full use.
The two-way traffic scheme at the defective flyover will be enforced as DPWH begins phase two of the rectification works.
DPWH-6 Director Sanny Boy Oropel said the right lane of the flyover, heading toward Pavia, will be closed to traffic starting this week, though no specific date has been set for the new scheme’s implementation.
“Next week, traffic will be concentrated on the left lane of the Ungka Flyover, coming from Iloilo City to Pavia,” Oropel said.
Currently, motorists use the inner lanes of the flyover — one lane in each direction. Once the new scheme is in place, both lanes on the left side of the flyover will handle two-way traffic, while the right lanes will remain closed.
The DPWH plans to reopen the right lane once repairs are completed, before shifting traffic to the left side for further work.
“Once the right lane is rectified, traffic will be transferred to the left lane for full repairs of the flyover,” Oropel added, noting that there is no definite date yet for the transfer.
Oropel said that construction will continue underneath the flyover as Metro Pacific Iloilo Water makes adjustments to their water pipeline alignments.
Despite the ongoing work above and below the flyover, Oropel assured the public that the structure will remain open, following its regular operational hours from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The DPWH-6, Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit, and Pavia Traffic Management Office conducted a monitoring operation on Monday to finalize traffic measures ahead of the new scheme’s implementation, ensuring a smooth flow of vehicles.
In a September press conference, Oropel announced that the DPWH aims to open the Ungka Flyover to full capacity by Dec. 25 as a Christmas gift to the public.
Phase two of the repairs will involve intensive jet grouting of the remaining piers and both abutments, removal of the existing surface, and application of a Geofoam System to correct the flyover’s vertical design profile.
DPWH-6 will also install metal railings and claddings, while the damaged pavement beneath the flyover will be repaired.
Phase two of the repairs will be undertaken by the International Builders Corporation, the original contractor for the project.
