Partial closure of Magallanes flyover irks motorists
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 11/04/2010 10:29 AM | Updated as of 11/04/2010 10:41 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Motorists are up in arms after traffic stalled over the temporary closure of the Magallanes flyover to heavy vehicles.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said he has not ordered any lanes closed but barred heavy vehicles from using the southbound lane of the flyover.
"There is a crack at the footing of the retaining wall. The retaining wall holds the structure together but it is not a major structure that could cause the collapse of the ramp," he told ANC's Headstart.
He added that there is no truth to news articles that the flyover is ready to collapse.
Singson said the Department of Public Works and Highways will put up concrete shoring to strengthen the base of the flyover to allow the continued use of the southbound lane of the ramp.
"If the shoring is done this morning, after 2-3 days curing time, then we will be able to allow normal traffic in that area," he said.
The Cabinet secretary said his department has yet to determine what caused the crack amid reports that excavations done by the First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) might have weakened the Magallanes Interchange. The DPWH and the Public Safety Department of Makati earlier halted the digging along the path of the gas pipeline owned and operated by FPIC.
"Some say it is due to the digging. There is a catch basin there because they are now draining that of oil and water. More or less, they know [the leak] is in that section, which is right below the ramp," he said.
Singson said the ground where the ramp and pipeline is located is adobe, which is not soft soil but solid ground.
He said the DPWH will also install a weigh gauge to catch overloaded trucks that ply the Magallanes Interchange, South SuperHighway and Osmeņa Highway