‘Defective’ Ungka flyover opens to longer hours

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Public Works and Highways-Western Visayas (DPWH-6) has extended the hours of operation for the Ungka flyover following requests from local officials.

The new operating hours for the Ungka flyover are from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The extension of the flyover’s operating hours was approved after an alignment meeting between the DPWH-6 and the Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit on Tuesday, December 19.

The adjustment is aimed at accommodating more vehicles during the holiday rush, expediting inbound traffic to the metro, and alleviating congestion in the area.

Over the past weeks, officials from Pavia town had requested the DPWH-6 to extend the flyover’s hours.

Iloilo province 2nd district Representative Michael Gorriceta submitted a letter to the DPWH-6 on November 23, requesting the full reopening of the flyover from December 2023 to January 2024.

“Considering the structural integrity and safety of the Ungka Flyover, may I respectfully request for its full reopening from December 2023 to January 2024,” he said.

He emphasized the need for increased capacity during the holiday season to mitigate expected traffic jams.

A year after its closure, the flyover was reopened to light vehicles earlier this September. However, only the interior lane of the four-lane flyover is accessible to four-wheeled vehicles.

Initially, the flyover was only accessible from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Pavia has also approved a resolution requesting the Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO) of the town and Iloilo City to extend the flyover’s hours.

The resolution proposes opening the flyover to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. starting December 15 to February 3, 2024.

“Since the start of the 2023 Holiday Season, there has been a significant increase of vehicles that traversed along Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Corazon Aquino Avenue thereby causing heavy traffic at the Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Corazon Aquino Avenue Intersection from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,” read part of the resolution.

The resolution also pointed out a potential influx of tourists and locals who are expected to visit Iloilo City, especially with the upcoming Dinagyang Festival in January and the Feast of Candelaria in February.

The resolution further called on the PSTMO of Pavia town and Iloilo City to manage vehicular traffic and control vehicle speed on the flyover.