ILOILO City – From Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, the road from the U-turn slot near Robinsons’ Place Pavia in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo to City Mall will be off-limits to motorists.
The closure will give way to the installation of girders on the P680-million four-lane Ungka Flyover, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 6.
The traffic shift will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We will be launching additional 56 girders to cover seven spans, including the 35 meters sa crossing,” said Al Fruto, assistant director of DPWH-6.
Girders at the junction of the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue and Iloilo Circumferential Road 1 (C1) will be installed on Oct. 2.
Fruto advised motorists to follow these alternate routes:
1. Pavia Highway – Tacas – Quintin Salas – Mc Arthur (closed on Oct. 2 only) * follow route 3
2. Pavia Highway – Tacas – Buhang – Mc Arthur (closed on Oct. 2 only) * follow route 3
3. For PUJ’s: Pavia Highway – Ungka Terminal –Lopez Jaena – San Isidro – NIA Road – Tacas – Pagsanga-an – Pavia town
4. Pavia Highway – Circumferential Road – U-turn slot Aleosan – Hibao-an intersection – Guzman Jesena
5. Pavia Highway – Circumferential Road – U-turn slot Pavia Highway –F. Gorriceta Avenue – Circumferential Road – U-turn slot Guzman Jesena
6. Outbound – Guzman Jesena
7. Outbound Quintin Salas
* Outbound Quintin Salas – Pavia
* Outbound Quintin Salas – Ungka Flyover (closed on Oct. 2 only)
8. Outbound Buhang – Circumferential Road
9. Inbound/outbound Pavia – Circumferential Road (for light vehicles only)
Apart from these routes, Fruto said light vehicles can also pass through the old railway from Barangay Aganan, Pavia going to Ungka Terminal while a subdivision (Green Meadows) also allows light vehicles (inbound and outbound) to pass there.
Fruto said the junction may be opened by Oct. 3 for travelers using the C1 road.
But it would depend on the progress of the installation of girders at the intersection, Fruto said.
When the installation of the 56 girders is completed, motorists should expect further closure of the said portion in the coming weeks, as there are still 16 girders covering two spans to be installed.
The installation of the girders is in preparation for project contractor International Builders Corp. (IBC) to start decking.
In March this year, a temporary closure was also enforced from the U-turn slot near the exit of the Christ the King in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district up to the intersection.
A total of 64 girders were completely installed in May. Decking there was ongoing.
The actual construction of the 453.70-meter flyover (including the approaches, protection and right of way) began in January 2020 and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022.
DPWH also gears up for road widening in Ungka, where from two lanes, it plans to make it four lanes (two lanes on both sides)./PN
