CEBU, Philippines - Concerned about their safety, motorists and netizens have raised alarm over the cracks found recently on the walls of the Banilad flyover on Governor M. Cuenco Avenue in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.
A photo showing the walls of the structure seemingly on the verge of breaking apart made rounds on the social media over the past few days, prompting netizens to call for government intervention.
The FREEMAN visited the flyover Thursday and found that the cracks, visible on both sides, measured about two to three inches in width and the height of an average person.
Another crack was also noticed on the pavement or the slab – the part of the flyover directly bearing the weight of all passing vehicles – just near the cracks on either sides.
But an official from the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 maintained that the flyover remains structurally sound and that there is no cause for alarm.
"Cracks to siya but ang cracks naa sa back wall, which is not a primary member of the structure… so dili siya serious. In other words, safe gihapon ang atong structure," Engineer Nonato Paylado, chief of DPWH-7's planning and design division, told The FREEMAN over the phone last night.
Paylado, who inspected the site yesterday, explained that primary members are parts that give main support to the flyover such as its columns and slabs. Without them or if any of them is under threat, the integrity of the entire structure may be compromised.
Interestingly, he said the cracks on the Banilad flyover are not new.
Based on Cebu City district engineering office's annual inspections, the cracks were observed as early as 2013. Nonetheless, Paylado did not mention why the cracks have been left unattended for three years now.
After yesterday's assessment, he said DPWH-7 will analyze the findings to determine the next step it will take.
"Enough na ang inspection. We need to determine the cause of the cracks gyud," he said.
Among the things being looked into is the possibility that the cracks originated from construction issues.
Construction of the Banilad flyover started in February 2008 under the administration of then mayor Tomas Osmeña. WTG Construction and Development Corp. was the contractor for the P87 million project.
Eight months later, the facility opened to motorists with then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leading the inauguration.
Paylado said they will review the structure's original plan and talk with personnel present during the construction to get insights.
He added that once the source of the cracks is determined and a budget allocated, DPWH will start the repair works.
Meanwhile, the engineer yesterday said the lines found on the slab were not actually cracks but rather natural "manifestations" because underneath it is an expansion joint.
Expansion joints are normally present in structures like bridges and flyovers to safely absorb heat-induced expansion and vibration, contraction of construction materials, as well as to hold parts together or to allow movement due to ground settlement or earthquakes. (FREEMAN)