Tabunok flyover’s closure tomorrow postponed

CEBU, Philippines - Closure of the Tabunok flyover in Talisay City will no longer push through starting tomorrow until May 5.

Engineer Leslie Anthony Molina of the Department of Public Works and Highways Second Engineering District said it would instead proceed on March 31 to April 2 (9 p.m. to 4 a.m.) and on April 4 (11 p.m.) to 5 ( 4 a.m.).

"Sulod aning pitsaha, ang first layer sa aspalto ang trabahoon," he said, adding that they decided to move the schedule because materials needed for asphalting are not available within the week.

Molina said they needed to ensure that all materials and equipment are ready before coming up with a final schedule so the rehabilitation of the flyover would start and run smoothly.

He said that during the day or in between the work hours when there are no work, the flyover would be open to the public.

“Dili man nato maderitso ang kabag-on sa espalto mao nga open traffic lang sa na kay full stretch naman ang first layer ana,” Molina said.

He earlier announced that the flyover will be closed from March 18 to May 5, or for 48 days. DPWH, though, shortened the period after Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas disapproved.

"Dili na ni mao ang schedule kay di gyud mosugot si Mayor Eddie Gullas nga pasirad-an ang flyover sulod sa sobra duha ka buwan kay mograbe gyud ang traffic sa maong dapit," he said.

Due to the expected heavy traffic because of the flyover’s closure, Molina said the contractor agreed to work 24 hours each day.

Earlier, Talisay Traffic Operations Development Authority head Almond Dela Peña said they would especially detail traffic personnel to guide motorists crossing the Tabunok flyover.

He said that when rehabilitation starts, 22 traffic personnel and 23 policemen would be deployed in Tabunok  and at the South Road Properties.

Meanwhile, Molina likewise said that repair of the flyover’s expansion joints would not happen yet since they are still ordering the replacement joints in South Korea, which normally take 60 days to arrive.

Built in 1992, the Tabunok flyover is the first flyover in Cebu. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Iris Mariani  B. Algabre (FREEMAN)