ILOILO City – The P315-million Buhang Flyover in Barangay Buhang, Jaro district will reopen to motorists in May 2026 after extensive repairs prompted by structural cracks, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) planning to install a gantry to prevent overloaded trucks from passing through the structure.
DPWH Region 6 said the flyover’s reopening depends on the completion of corrective works by contractor F. Gurrea Construction, Inc., following tests that revealed several slabs requiring reconstruction or reinforcement.
“Target ko siguro, with the ongoing corrections, mga May,” said DPWH-6 regional director Engr. Denise Maria Ayag.
The original plan was to reopen the structure shortly after the Lenten season, but the schedule had to be moved to May after engineers discovered additional cracks in several slabs of the flyover.
The repairs came after DPWH-6 conducted a rebound hammer test and other structural assessments to determine the extent of the damage.
“Nag-conduct tayo ng rebound hammer test doon at nag-micro-piling pa kami sa ibang pavement sa taas. We found out that there are several spans na kailangan i-redo, ‘yung others puwede naman retrofitting. So kung makikita niyo malaki ang ginagawa sa Buhang flyover to be assured na okay na yon kasi we don’t like na very repetitive yong correct ion,” Ay ag explained.
The structural tests were conducted following an inspection by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on Jan. 19, during which he reportedly observed cement falling from the flyover deck.
Dizon subsequently ordered the contractor to undertake the repairs and shoulder all associated costs.
GANTRY TO BAR OVERLOADED TRUCKS
Once the flyover reopens, DPWH-6 plans to install a gantry at its approaches to block heavily loaded trucks, which officials believe contributed to the premature cracking of the structure’s slabs.
“Heavy loaded trucks should not pass there. Ang capacity ng flyover is around 30 tons. Pero alam naman natin yong ibang dumadaan na trucks dyan is 50 or 80 tons. Galing pa iban sa Dumangas Port. Kung matapos yan palalagyan namin ng gantry. Hindi na padada-anan sa heavy loaded trucks,” Ayag said.
The Buhang Flyover, which spans 340 linear meters with a width of 10.34 meters, opened to motorists on May 13, 2023 during the term of then DPWH-6 director Nerie Bueno.
Construction of the flyover began in late 2020 and was originally targeted for completion by the end of 2022. However, the contractor encountered delays due to several weather disturbances that affected the region and disrupted the sourcing of quarry materials./PN
