LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – As residents of La Trinidad await the long-overdue overpass along the intersection of Pico Road and the main highway, the ongoing railing-welding work and staircase fabrication for the landing sites are expected to bring the construction closer to its completion date of June 8.
With three proposed landing sites, the Department of Public Works and Highways – First Benguet Engineering District (DPWH-FBED) has yet to negotiate with one site fully. “May isang site po na ongoing pa ‘yung negotiation namin para matuloy ‘yung landing sa isang site. So bale tatlong site kasi ang na-propose natin dito, isa sa bakery, police station, sa gasoline station [ay] ongoing [pa ang] negotiation,” the DPWH-FBED project engineer, Engnr. II Jupiter Bacaoat, explained.
The ₱24,499,588.77 overpass was supposedly due in March this year, but the ongoing negotiation with one landing site, the limited work space, limited time, and the weather conditions have led its construction to slow down.
“Ang original contract expiry niya kasi is nung March pero nag-extend tayo dahil may problem na kailangang i-solve para matapos ‘yung sa landing. Tapos ‘yung isang i-coconsider is ‘yung sa weather tsyaka ‘yung sa night shift,” Engineer Bacaoat said. The construction workers do their labor at the overpass on night shift to avoid disturbances during the day.
In 2014, posts were already built to mark the landing spots of the overpass, but a problem with the road right of way had put the construction on hold. “May existing na po tayong poste para sa overpass, na-tengga lang siya kasi may problema sa right of way,” he expressed. He also emphasized that the overpass would contribute to reducing the traffic congestion caused by pedestrians.
The overpass was purposefully located at the intersection along Pico Road and the main highway because of its persistent traffic congestion.
According to PCPT. Rufino Tarnate, traffic officer, the completion of the Pico-Km. 5 overpass would no longer cause traffic jams since pedestrians would instead use the overpass rather than cross along the intersection lanes, which could lead to a smoother traffic flow.
With the concerns about its delay, the residents worry they might not use the overpass. “Ang reason kasi is ‘yung mga ginagamit na bakal jan, pina-fabricate muna sa isang lugar bago nila i-ano jan. Kaya kung minsan, sinasabi nilang walang nagtetrabaho pero ‘yung mga contractors ginagawa pala sa puguis, winiweilding nila ‘pag natapos, dun nila i-assemble kasi ‘yun nga ‘pag magweilding sila sa taas ‘yung sparkle baka may matamaan na mga sasakyan,” PCPT. Tarnate enthused.
Regardless of the complaints about its extended completion date, people expect the overpass to ease the traffic congestion. “Isunga mayat no na-overpass ta awan ti traffic piman isunga no malpas dyta mayat en pero no kwa kt pirmi jy traffic,” Dionisio Liwan, a resident, expressed. By Lyka Capsula
