Water seepage prompts cleanup of Metro’s ‘biggest CR’

MANILA, Philippines—The tunnel that came to be known as the “biggest comfort room” or toilet in Metro Manila finally got the scrubbing and plugging it sorely needed.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday said improvements were under way on the C-5 tunnel at the Boni Serrano-Katipunan Interchange in Quezon City, a passage adorned with white wall tiles but which ended up looking dirty due to grime and water seepage.

The DPWH said it had started sealing the leakages in the panels and the removal of the stained wall tiles. Additional lights were also installed to prevent vehicular accidents, it added.

The improvements were made following an inspection conducted by the DPWH-Quezon City 2nd District Engineering Office, which detected water leakages coming from the natural groundwater behind the walls and the drainage system above the interchange.

The seepage had been causing the wall’s untidy appearance, the agency noted.

Aside from C-5 Boni Serrano/ Katipunan Interchange, the

DPWH also plans to apply the same solution to other tunnels and underpasses with the same seepage problems.

The local engineering district said it had completed other road projects in the city, such as the asphalt overlay on East Avenue, the widening of Maginhawa Street in UP Village, the improvement of Masambahin Street, and other rehabilitation works on Katipunan and C. P. Garcia Avenue.—Tina G. Santos