Traffic jams anew as contractor redoes Buendia flyover repair

MANILA, Philippines - The second round of repairs of the Buendia flyover has caused traffic jams along major roads and sidestreets in and around Makati City’s central business district, but the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday the repairs may be completed by Dec. 15.

DPWH-National Capital Region construction division chief Jose Balite said they closed the southbound lane of the Buendia flyover (also called Osmeña flyover) since Nov. 26 to give way to the redoing of the asphalt overlay.

“The southbound lanes are totally closed. So vehicles counterflow on the northbound lanes,” said Balite. The northbound lane has been temporarily divided so one section can accommodate those headed south and the other lane would be dedicated to those headed north.

“If we continue to have good weather, we are targeting to complete the repairs on both the northbound and southbound lanes by Dec. 15,” he added.

The DPWH and contractor Tokwing Construction have reportedly advised the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the mayors of Makati and Pasay.

Balite said they have also posted directional and information signs as to the alternate routes that motorists could take to avoid getting stuck at the Buendia flyover. They have also distributed fliers to inform the public.

The government spent P87 million to rehabilitate the 35-year-old overhead structure from May 6 to Aug. 28, but a few days after the flyover was reopened to motorists, potholes inches deep started appearing in the asphalt overlay. DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson ordered the flyover closed again and instructed Tokwing to redo the repairs. This time, the cost will be shouldered by the contractor.

“The total length of the flyover, including the approaches, that needed to be repaired once again measured 525 meters... They would have to replace the asphalt,” Balite said.

The DPWH-NCR project engineer who is reportedly in charge of the repairs is Joyce Bacual.

The redoing of the flyover’s asphalt overlay was originally scheduled last Oct. 14 but it was delayed until last week because of bad weather.