Road cavity on Salinas Drive patched; repairs, assessment ongoing

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A cavity that opened on Salinas Drive in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, following a water leak has been barricaded as authorities worked to address the damaged portion and keep traffic moving in the area.

The damaged section was linked to a leaking Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) water mainline, with Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) head Councilor Dave Tumulak earlier warning that the road could further collapse and potentially become impassable.

The Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) said a steel ramp was installed over the affected portion following an approved traffic scheme to keep the lane passable and minimize disruption to motorists and pedestrians.

The affected portion of Salinas Drive is within a busy commercial area of Lahug, surrounded by hotels, schools, restaurants and other commercial establishments, making the road a frequently used route for motorists and pedestrians.

READ: El Niño: Desalinated water to boost MCWD’s supply

Water leak behind road damage

MCWD spokesperson Minerva Gerodias said the agency’s repair team was already at the site after the incident was reported.

Gerodias said MCWD shut off the water source in the area to stop the flow and allow its personnel to conduct repairs.

She clarified, however, that the cavity seen in the road was not caused by MCWD excavating that particular section.

According to Gerodias, the MCWD excavation for its repair was located a few meters away from the cavity.

She said a water leak had also been repaired in the area the previous week, where MCWD had placed a steel plate while awaiting the restoration or paving of the asphalt.

MCWD was checking whether the current leak involved the same water line repaired the previous week or another pipe.

Gerodias said several water lines cross and converge in the area, making it necessary for the repair team to determine which line was involved.

“We are checking if it’s the same line nga leaking last week, or it’s a different line,” Gerodias said.

She added that the water lines in the area are MCWD facilities, although she was not certain whether underground communication or other utility lines were also present.

Water pressure, road collapse

Tumulak earlier said the road section collapsed because of pressure from the leaking water mainline and warned that the damaged portion could worsen.

Gerodias said it was possible that the movement of water from the leak caused the road to collapse.

“Posible na siya nga nag-leak and then tungod nga naa’y tubig nga naglihok, mao nang nicollapse ang kalsada,” she said.

Gerodias said MCWD immediately shut down its J.A. Hydro-Busay pumps.

The shutdown was necessary to allow the repair team to work and prevent further water loss, she said.

The pumps were closed around 5:33 p.m. Friday, with the shutdown initially expected to last until around 3 a.m. Saturday, August 8.

Several areas may experience low pressure

The pump shutdown could affect water service across several parts of Cebu City.

Gerodias said areas that could experience low pressure or eventual loss of supply include Busay, Lahug, the Gorordo area, Escario, Kamputhaw, Echavez, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Kalunasan and Labangon, among other nearby areas.

She explained that water service would not necessarily disappear immediately after the pumps were shut down.

Instead, consumers could initially experience low pressure before eventually losing their supply because the main line would no longer have water passing through it from the affected pumps.

Gerodias said the affected network extends toward the Ayala area, contributing to the wide coverage of the potential water service disruption.

DPWH installs steel ramp

Meanwhile, DPWH-7 said it immediately coordinated with MCWD and the Traffic Management Center following the road damage.

The affected area was barricaded to secure the site and protect motorists and pedestrians.

A steel ramp was then installed in accordance with the approved traffic scheme to allow vehicles to continue passing through the area while minimizing traffic disruption.

Repairs ongoing

As of the latest update, MCWD’s repair team was continuing its assessment and repair work in the area.

For motorists, the steel ramp and barricades are intended to keep the affected section passable and secure while the water utility and concerned agencies continue addressing the underlying problem.

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