THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) expects the timely completion of two major bridge projects in Davao.
During DPWH’s recent inspection, Emil Sadain, DPWH senior undersecretary, said construction of the 1.34-kilometer, four-lane Davao River (Bucana) Bridge which started in November 2023 has made significant strides, with completion now reaching 32 percent.
“We are confident in meeting our target to open the bridge to traffic by the end of 2025,” Sadain added.
The P3.13-billion Davao River Bridge project, funded by the Philippine government and a China aid grant, will complement the Davao City Coastal Road upon completion that promises enhanced mobility, connectivity and economic opportunities for Davao Region.
Currently, civil works for the bridge include the installation of rebars for pier columns and crossbeams, simultaneous with the placement of scaffoldings in preparation for deck construction.
Activities such as steel sheet pile driving for cofferdamming and bored piling are also progressing as planned, DPWH said.
Meanwhile, DPWH also inspected the P23.5-billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project which has made significant improvement in both engineering design and construction.
Sadain said the ongoing bored piling works for the land viaduct structure of the SIDC project which began in May 2024 are progressing well. To date, 42 out of the 72 bored piles on the Samal side have been completed, while on the Davao City side, 23 out of 72 are finished.
DPWH said the detailed engineering design phase is nearing completion at 94 percent, which comprise the approval of the design plans for the substructure and superstructure of the land viaduct, marine viaduct and navigation bridge.
