DPWH-6 aims to open Buhang Flyover end-March

By John Noel E. Herrera

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 said the Buhang Flyover in Jaro district might be opened to motorists in the last week of March 2023.

DPWH-6 assistant regional director Jose Al Fruto said the flyover “is almost finished” as the contractor only needs to complete the barriers along Brgy. Balabago and paint the entire structure.

“I think they are on target nga last week of March to be completed,” Fruto said.

Once completed, the 340-meter-long Buhang flyover is expected to help ease the traffic situation at the intersection of the Iloilo Circumferential Road and the Iloilo-Capiz Road, especially during rush hours.

Fruto noted that the two-lane Buhang flyover is listed as one of DPWH’s high-impact projects in the region given its potential benefits.

During the Regional Development Committee (RDC) meeting last Feb 28, 2023, DPWH-6 Regional Director Nerie Bueno said the Buhang flyover would be personally inaugurated by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in April 2023.

But Fruto noted that there is no confirmation yet from the central office or Office of the President if Marcos Jr. will indeed lead the said inauguration.

Meanwhile, contractor F. Gurrea Construction Inc. earlier assured the public that the structure is safe as they strictly followed the design from DPWH.

The contractor also noted that the construction started last 2019 and is supposed to be completed by the end of 2022, but it had difficulty sourcing quarry materials due to several weather disturbances, which caused delays in the completion of the project.

Aside from the Buhang flyover, the DPWH is also implementing three more flyover projects in Iloilo facilitated by former senator Franklin Drilon, which include the P591-million Hibao-an Flyover in Brgy. Hibao-an, Mandurriao, Iloilo City; P560-million Aganan Flyover and P680-million Ungka II Flyover in Pavia, Iloilo.

The defective Ungka II Flyover is currently under investigation by a third-party consulting firm hired by DPWH due to the vertical displacement or settlement on three of its piers (piers 4, 5, 6), while construction of the Aganan flyover is still on hold as it is on the same road line as the Ungka II Flyover.

The Hibao-an Flyover in Mandurriao district and the Ungka II and Aganan flyovers in Pavia, Iloilo are being constructed with International Builders Corporation (IBC) as the contractor.