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The Department of Public Works and Highways reported progress on the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project and Davao City Bypass Construction Project
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The detailed engineering design phase for the SIDC Project is 94.41% finished
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65 out of the 144 bored piles for the land viaduct structure are completed to date
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported progress in the construction of two infrastructure projects in Mindanao—the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project and Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP).
The detailed engineering design for the P23.52-billion SIDC Project is 94.41% complete, comprising approval of design plans for substructure and superstructure of the land viaduct, marine viaduct, and navigation bridge, DPWH said in a statement.
Ongoing bored piling works for the land viaduct structure, meanwhile, are progressing well, with 42 or of the 72 bored piles on the Samal side already completed while 23 out of the 72 bored piles on the Davao side finished, DPWH added.
The SIDC Project connects the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) and Davao City and is funded through official development assistance under China’s concessional loan.
Public Works senior undersecretary Emil Sadain said despite challenges and legal issues in the project implementation, DPWH is taking proactive measures to ensure that issues are promptly addressed.
This approach aims to keep civil works on schedule, avoiding delays and adhering to the project timeline.
“We are closely coordinating and monitoring every detail of progress in this project, as we aim to open this bridge to traffic within the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” Sadain said.
“This bridge will serve as one of the pioneering modern transportation infrastructures in Mindanao, enhancing economic growth, connectivity, and access to essential services and activities in IGaCoS and the Davao Region,” he added.
READ: Civil works start for Samal Island-Davao City connector project
The project features a four-lane (two lanes each direction) extradosed bridge with a total length of 4.01 kilometers, a main span of 275 meters, and a vertical navigation clearance of 47 meters across the Pakiputan Strait. The marine crossing is approximately 1.62 km long with a seabed depth of 40 meters, supported by two pylons standing 73 meters above sea level.
Once completed, the iconic bridge is aimed to provide a resilient and reliable transportation link between IGaCoS and Davao City.
For the DCBCP, DPWH reported ongoing efforts in tunnel waterproofing and the construction of concrete arch and invert linings for the two-lane northbound and southbound tunnels. Sadain explained that these crucial activities are part of the effort to ensure structural integrity and durability.
The road mountain tunnel is a key part of the P13.23-billion DCBCP Contract Package I-1, financed through a Special Terms for Economic Partnership loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Sadain noted Japan’s engineering expertise and advanced technology are being utilized in the construction of what will soon be the longest road mountain tunnel in Mindanao.
This project also promotes technological transfer between Japan and the Philippines, with provisions for technical assistance and capacity building to ensure successful implementation and sustainability.
The tunnel waterproofing efforts, which have covered 1.130 km northbound and 1.135 km southbound, are crucial for preventing water ingress, preserving the tunnel’s longevity, and ensuring operational efficiency, DPWH noted.
READ: Davao City bypass project targets 2028 completion
Meanwhile, 978 meters northbound and 967 meters southbound have already been fitted with invert arch lining concrete, which will reinforce the tunnel structure and improve its ability to withstand various loads and environmental conditions.
The entire Contract Package I-1 involves the construction of a 10.7 km two-lane carriageway for both northbound and southbound roads, divided by a median, from the Mintal Road Intersection at Sta. 12+800 to the Mandug Road Intersection at Sta. 23+500. The package also includes three pairs of river bridges with a total length of 0.5 km and two underpasses.
With an overall accomplishment of 51.5%, Contract Package I-1 also covers the construction of access roads to the bridges and tunnel portals, two Engineer’s offices with laboratories, and main and sub-offices at the north and south portal sides, respectively, for construction supervision and management.
The Engineer’s Offices were designed to meet the standards of a typical school building and are planned for future turnover to the Department of Education as additional learning facilities.
