DELAYS AFTER DELAYS: Sinking Ungka flyover eyed for full use in November

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor 

The defective P680-million Ungka flyover, which spans the Jaro district in Iloilo City and Pavia, Iloilo, and has been causing traffic issues, is targeted for full capacity use in November this year.

Department of Public Works and Highways-Western Visayas (DPWH-6) director Sanny Boy Oropel noted that the target date would only be met if the first phase of repairs is completed by the end of July.

“We will try our best to reopen to full capacity traffic in the first week of November. The second phase of the repairs will be swift,” Oropel told the Daily Guardian on Tuesday, July 2.

Oropel’s recent announcement is three months delayed from the previous self-imposed deadline to complete both phases and fully open the flyover by the end of August.

The regional director added that they are targeting the second week of August to commence the second phase of repairs.

Phase 2 plans include an additional 2,416 linear meters of jet grouting and extensive structural work involving the removal of obstructions, excavation, shoring, cribbing, bored pile capping, column jacketing, and the installation of bracings and prestressed structural concrete girders.

Meanwhile, Oropel said the first phase of the rectification is 65 percent complete as of the end of June.

Phase 1 of the repairs involves jet grouting procedures for the 13 piers, where DPWH-6 will also stabilize the soil underneath by injecting cementitious material into the ground.

“The main reason we are conducting the jet grouting is to underpin the bored pile foundation that fell short in providing support to the structure,” Oropel explained.

While acknowledging the apparent delays in the jet grouting activity for the first phase, Oropel maintained that the rectification activity is still “on track.”

He further appealed to the public to give due consideration to the repair works, emphasizing that the rectification activity of the defective flyover is “not just a simple method.”

“We cannot hastily do the jet grouting since we avoid damaging important underground assets such as water pipes and internet cables,” he said.

Phase 1 of the repairs is currently carried out by Monolithic Construction & Concrete Products, Inc., an engineering firm based in Davao City.

Earlier this May, Oropel announced that the contract for Phase 1 of the flyover’s rectification works had been extended for an additional 120 days.

Monolithic started the rectification in January and was initially set to conclude on May 6, 2024.