Reblocking: How it’s done

Reblocking is the repair of a damaged section of a road.

During reblocking, work teams, aided by concrete saws and jackhammers, first remove the shattered concrete pavement.

“Then, they fix the base, replacing the old with a new one and compacting it. If it passes what we call the FDT (field density test), then concrete is poured in.” said Reynaldo Tagudando, director of the Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region.

A quick-drying cement, manufactured locally, is used. The cement has a mixed formula approved by the DPWH’s Bureau of Research Standards.

“If the concrete has been leveled, they use a vibrating equipment to fully compact it. Then the masons do their part. The local term for that is palitada. Then, a pneumatic broom is used to sweep the surface of the concrete pavement. Sometimes, it’s done manually,” he said.

Tagudando said reblocking was anything but what people called patsing-patsing (patching).

“That’s direct application of asphalt on shattered sections of the road. After a few months, the cracks begin to appear, resulting in bumpy rides for motorists and the riding public,” he said.

12-inch thick

“The finished concrete pavement is 12 inches thick. About five years ago, it was just nine inches. We increased the thickness to adjust to the increasing average daily traffic and volume of motor vehicles using the road. We regularly conduct pavement analysis,” he said.

During reblocking, 18 to 20 workers compose a work team per location.

“There are riggers, flag men, laborers, equipment operators, mechanics, electricians, gas men and finishers, among other laborers,” Tagudando said.

“But the role of finishers is critical. It’s not only the base that should be OK. The surface should also be OK.”

Contractors

Less than a dozen contractors are involved in the Edsa reblocking project, said Reynaldo Rosario, chief of the DPWH-NCR maintenance division.

They include AUKH Construction, E.L. Anolin Construction, I.M. Construction Corp., C & F Construction and Development Corp., MRB II Construction Corp., B. Bernardo Construction, Vivid Construction and L.R. Tiqui Builders.

Work schedule from April 4 to 7

It will be from 10 p.m.of April 4 to 5 a.m. of April 7 in the following areas:

Between Roosevelt Avenue and East Lawin Street (southbound, 4th lane)

Along Balete Drive between Aurora Boulevard and Campanilla Street (1st lane)

Between Guadalupe Bridge and Ayala Avenue (southbound, 1st lane)

Between Reliance Street and Ortigas Avenue(northbound, 1st lane of Shaw Boulevard tunnel)

Between Santolan Road and Ortigas Avenue (southbound, 5th lane from Santolan to approach of Ortigas flyover and 1st lane of service road

of Ortigas flyover)

Between New York Street and Monte de Piedad Street (southbound, 1st lane)