FOR REHABILITATION. The EDSA Magallanes Flyover in Makati City in this undated photo. DPWH-NCR director Loreta Malaluan, in a radio interview on Wednesday (May 8, 2024), said the rehabilitation of the flyover's foundation starts next week while repair works on its lanes would follow once the rehabilitation of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover in Quezon City is done. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Wednesday it is set to start rehabilitation works on the Magallanes Flyover in Makati City by next week.
In an interview with Radyo5, DPWH - National Capital Region (NCR) Director Loreta Malaluan said they are just awaiting the permits from the concerned barangay (village) for the installation of scaffolding on the lower part of the flyover, as rehabilitation work will start at its foundation.
“Ang una nating sisimulan ay paglalagay ng carbon fiber sheets and plates sa ilalim. Kaya hindi po tayo agad magsasara sa ibabaw o sa mismong flyover (We will start with the installation of carbon fiber sheets and plates at the lower portion so we would not immediately implement road closures on the flyover)," Malaluan said.
She, meanwhile, assured that they are working with the local government and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the issuance of a traffic scheme for affected motorists.
"Ung sa ilalim, mostly tao lang ang dumadaan, may U-turn slot lang na maaapektuhan. Hindi naman po sasarhan ang U-turn slot, may konting abala o pagbabagal pero di isasara (As for the lower part, it is mostly used by pedestrians. A U-turn slot might be affected. It will not be closed but there might be some inconvenience or traffic congestion)," she added.
Malaluan said the rehabilitation of the flyover's lanes would follow once the repair of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover in Quezon City is done.
She noted that light vehicles would be allowed to pass the flyover while the construction is ongoing.
“Papalitan ang expansion joints lalo na dito sa southbound, yung nasa gitna na expansion joints. Ang isasara po natin, ‘yung dalawang lane sa gitna. Pero ang outer lanes nila, hindi natin isasara (We will replace the expansion joints, especially at the southbound lane, those at the center. We will close the two center lanes but the outer lanes will remain open),” Malaluan said.
The retrofitting project is expected to be completed in nine months.
Kamuning flyover
Malaluan noted that the contractor of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover construction project has been directed to work double time to be able to finish the works earlier than the October 2024 deadline.
“We have instructed the contractor na mag 24/7 (work) po, three shifts, magdagdag tools and equipment na ginagamit para mapadali po and trabaho doon sa EDSA-Kamuning flyover (We have instructed the contractor to work 24/7,with three shifts, and add tools and equipment to expedite the work on the EDSA-Kamuning flyover)” she said.
The flyover's southbound lane in Quezon City was closed earlier this month for retrofitting, as part of engineering solutions to minimize damage from a possible strong earthquake.
Guadalupe bridge
On the other hand, the DPWH-NCR chief also reported that the Guadalupe bridge in Makati City would also undergo rehabilitation works before the end of this year.
“May papalitan na superstructure and substructure sa Guadalupe bridge. Inaasahan natin base sa ibinigay sa aking report kasi ito ay Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded, ang Unified Project Management Office ang mag-implement nito (A superstructure and substructure of the Guadalupe bridge will be replaced. Based on the report that I received, we expect that because this bridge is funded by JICA, our Unified Project Management Office will carry this out)," she said.
Malaluan said the bridge would not be closed to traffic as a detour bridge would be constructed on the upstream and downstream portions where light vehicles could pass through. (PNA)
