The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is ramping up construction efforts on the twin-tube mountain tunnels of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project as excavation of the southbound tunnel nears its breakthrough phase.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said that while the 2.3-kilometer northbound tunnel—marked by a ceremonial breakthrough in April 2025—continues to undergo technical refinements, the parallel southbound tunnel is now only about 32 meters away from breakthrough, expected by this third quarter of 2025. These refinements are being implemented by the Shimizu–Ulticon–Takenaka Joint Venture, in response to evolving ground conditions.
“These intensified measures are designed to ensure ground stability, construction safety, and overall project resilience”, Sadain said.
On July 18, 2025, Senior Undersecretary Sadain, along with Roads Management Cluster 1 – Unified Project Management Office (UPMO-RMC 1) Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista, conducted a site inspection of Contract Package I-1 which includes the twin-tube two-lane tunnels, a key engineering feature of the entire bypass road.
Contract Package I-1, which spans from Sta. 12+800 to Sta. 23+500, has reached 60.64% physical completion, making it one of the most advanced sections of the project to date.
In addition to the twin-tube tunnels, this segment includes a 7.9-kilometer four-lane road; three pairs of bridges totaling 500 meters in length—including the Davao River Bridge; two underpasses; two overpasses; 12 box culverts; and four at-grade intersections.
The twin tunnels represent a historic milestone as the Philippines’ first long-distance road mountain tunnel system—marking a significant leap in the nation’s infrastructure development.
Once completed, the Davao City Bypass Construction Project—connecting the Davao–Digos Section of the Maharlika Highway to the Davao–Agusan National Highway in Panabo City—is expected to significantly enhance regional mobility and substantially reduce travel time between Davao City, Panabo City, and nearby areas.
The project is jointly funded by the Government of the Philippines and Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) through Japan International Cooperation Agency.
