Sub-standard Dagupan road hit

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

One of the more than 10
 long cracks covered by
by pressure epoxy scarred
the P49 million elevated AB Fernandez
Road in Dagupan City.

DAGUPAN CITY – Is the P49-million peso newly elevated road at downtown area in this city below par? District Engineer Elpidio Paragas , the new head of the 2nd Engineering District of the Department of Public Works & Highway, said the series of cracks ensued because the private contractor forgot to cut some of the iron bars that were used to strengthen the concrete road.

“Hindi nila inapura na nilagare ito. So ang crack nag-umpisa na dito diretso na doon sa labas,” Paragas explained by drawing on a piece of paper what happened if some iron bars embedded in the concrete pavement were not cut.

The cracks can be seen from the stretch in front of CSI Mall up to the approach of Quintos Bridge near the Star Plaza Hotel. Some of them formed a letter “S” that crossed the road, while other could as long as two meters. Paragas said black objects put by the private contractor at the space left by the cracks were pressure epoxy.

One of the owners of business establishment in the downtown area whose stall was almost obstructed by the height of the elevation said some parts of the road have no iron bars when the private contractor made them, resulting in cracks.

“Hindi nila nilagyan ng bakal. Inuna nila ang bulsa nila. Dapat malaman ito ni Secretary Rogelio Singson para mapalitan ang kalsada,” the source, who asked for anonymity, quipped.