THE Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Region (DPWH-Davao) said the ongoing project along the National Highway in Visayan Village, Tagum City, is part of a planned upgrade to address structural wear and comply with updated road standards.
In a Tagum-based radio interview earlier this week, DPWH-Davao spokesperson Dean Ortiz explained that the works are part of the agency’s regular infrastructure maintenance program. He said the department conducts the Road Condition Survey annually, with results logged in the Road and Bridge Inventory Application, a system used to plan and prioritize projects for the next funding year.
Based on recent survey findings, Ortiz said the section of the road under construction was already below the current DPWH thickness standard and requires upgrading from 230 millimeters to 300 millimeters, in accordance with Department Order No. 238, Series of 2022.
Inspectors also discovered raveling on the asphalt surface and scaling on the concrete underneath, indicating deterioration that warranted full reconstruction.
He added that the road, which forms part of the Maharlika Highway, has seen a marked rise in traffic, including heavy trucks, as it serves as the main approach to the Tagum Flyover.
“Kining portion na atong gi-reconstruct karon na pavement is below sa atoang prescribed standards. Gibuhat man gud nato na because of the increasing volume of traffic and then ang volume sa mga trucks nga naga-agi and over the past several years, naga-upgrade naman gyud kay agihanan na padulong sa Tagum Flyover,” the official clarified.
(This portion of the pavement that we are reconstructing is already below our prescribed standards. We are doing this because of the increasing volume of traffic, as well as the number of trucks passing through. Over the past several years, we have been upgrading it since it serves as the main route leading to the Tagum Flyover.)
The project also covers drainage facility upgrades along the outer lanes of the service road and minor repairs on certain copings of the Tagum Flyover to enhance its durability and ensure motorist safety. DEF