THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to open bidding for the contract of the final phase of the P70.8 billion Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) in the third quarter of 2025.
In a statement on Tuesday, DPWH said the project is on track to meet the target to be fully operational by 2028, following the recent completion of tunnel excavation works for the two-lane northbound tube.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain said the DCBCP is being implemented through six contract packages, five of which are now under active construction. Procurement for the final package is expected in the third quarter of 2025.
“This tunnel is both a literal and symbolic passage toward a brighter future. It reflects our shared vision of infrastructure that fosters sustainability, economic growth, and strengthened bilateral ties with Japan,” Sadain added.
Using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) or the sequential excavation method, the project’s twin tunnels will be the longest mountain road tunnels in the Philippines. The northbound tunnel breakthrough highlights the synergy of Philippine-Japanese collaboration and the integration of cutting-edge tunneling technology with local engineering expertise, DPWH said.
Officials of DPWH, the Japanese Embassy and Japan International Cooperation Agency on Monday led a ceremonial breakthrough at the North Portal in Barangay Waan, Davao City to mark the completion of excavation works for the 2.3-kilometer northbound tunnel.
“This tunnel breakthrough is more than a civil engineering triumph. It represents a bold step in realizing the Build Better More agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., laying the groundwork for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive Bagong Pilipinas”, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.
The 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass is a four-lane highway designed to ease Davao City’s congestion and improve regional connectivity and economic growth. Once completed, it will cut travel time between Barangay Sirawan in Toril and Barangay J.P. Laurel in Panabo City from 1 hour and 44 minutes to 49 minutes.
