The Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Visayas (DPWH 6) began the construction of the PHP480-million flyover in Ungka II village, Pavia town, Iloilo on Monday.

The 453.70-meter Ungka II flyover is one of the four flyovers that will be constructed in Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic and Development Council (MIGEDC), Al Fruto, DPWH 6 assistant director, said.

“The entry of development is very radical. These (flyovers) are very timely. We are trying not to be overtaken by development. We are trying to be at par,” Fruto said.

The flyover will rise at the junction of Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue and Iloilo Circumferential Road at Ungka II village.

As the construction started, four of the six lanes at the President Corazon Aquino Avenue and Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue were closed.

The DPWH has assured coordination with this city’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) and the local government of Pavia for traffic management.

In an interview Wednesday, Pavia Mayor Lawrence Anthony Gorriceta said the local government has deployed 35 traffic auxiliaries at its jurisdiction.

He also confirmed that Pavia has already signed a Memorandum of Agreement with three subdivisions on Tuesday for the use of access roads seen to ease the traffic on the highway.

“We can use their access roads or their spine road for the private vehicles from Balabag village, Ungka I and Ungka II to cross going to the Iloilo circumferential road,” he said.

The PSTMO, meanwhile, has 40 personnel to manage the traffic flow in Sambag village in this city’s Jaro district and Ungka village.

Gorriceta said additional traffic auxiliaries were also promised to be provided by the project contractor International Builders Corporation.

The mayor appealed to affected commuters to bear with the traffic caused by the construction and advised them to leave their homes early to avoid the heavy volume of vehicles. “Hopefully, after two years, the flyover will be finished. We adjust for now because we will be the one to benefit in the future that the traffic flow will be smooth,” he said.

Meanwhile, three other flyovers are set to be established at Aganan and Hibao-an villages, Pavia; and Buhang village, Jaro district.

The Aganan flyover costing PHP560-million will start its construction in the first quarter this year, Fruto said.

The Hibao-an and Buhang flyovers, on the other hand, will also be constructed within this year.

The DPWH 6 is still finalizing the total budget of the two flyovers. (PNA)