Davao River bridge set for completion in Q3

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The Department of Public Works and Highways is on track to complete the P3.13-billion Davao River (Bucana) Bridge by the third quarter of 2025. h

The 1.34-kilometer bridge project is over 73 percent complete, said DPWH senior undersecretary Emil Sadain.

He said the project team is intensifying the construction to finish the project ahead of the target completion date by the end of November 2025, marking 24 months since the notice to proceed was issued to the contractor China Road and Bridge Corp.

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“Although recent rains in Mindanao have posed some challenges, we are confident that the Bucana Bridge will be finished ahead of schedule. Our project engineers and the contractor are committed to expediting the work,” said Sadain in a statement yesterday.

During the recent inspection, Sadain observed substantial progress on the project with current activities now centered on the bridge’s superstructure.

The bridge will connect the eastern and western coastal areas of Davao City, providing a major alternate route to alleviate traffic congestion in the city center and improving access to key areas across the metropolis.

Bucana Bridge is a four-lane, six-span extradosed bridge with advanced structural features, designed to complement the Davao City Coastal Road. It will significantly enhance mobility and connectivity within the greater Davao area, DPWH said.

The project is funded under a China aid grant complemented by funding from the Philippine government and incorporates a modern design that allows for navigational clearances, ensuring the smooth passage of maritime traffic along the Davao River.

Once completed, the Bucana Bridge will accommodate up to 35,000 vehicles daily, improving traffic flow and reducing congestion in Davao City’s coastal areas.

In a related development, DPWH, together with officials from the Japan Embassy, recently inspected the Davao Bypass.

According to Sadain, the centerpiece of the 10.7-km contract package I-1 of the 45.5-km Davao City Bypass Construction Project is the 2.3-km road mountain tunnel which, once completed, will be the longest tunnel in the Philippines.

The road mountain tunnel features two separate tubes for northbound and southbound traffic, improving both safety and traffic flow. The twin tunnel is crucial for cutting through the mountainous terrain, providing a direct and safer route for motorists.

Excavation for the northbound tunnel is over 95 percent complete, while the southbound tunnel is more than 85 percent finished, DPWH said.

The tunnel breakthrough, a long-awaited event which brings to an end the most critical phase of tunneling, is expected by the second quarter of 2025, said Sadain.

The Davao City Bypass Construction Project is financed in part by the government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which continues to play a vital role in supporting the Philippines’ infrastructure ambitions.

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