The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it is expediting the completion of the country’s first long-distance mountain tunnel aimed at enhancing connectivity and accessibility in Davao City.
Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, in charge of DPWH Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs), said the 45-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project achieved significant milestone in the construction of its major component which is the 2.3-kilometer twin mountain road tunnel and a part of the 10.7-km. Contract Package 1-1.
Sadain said the Davao City Bypass Construction Project is a cutting-edge and transformative infrastructure development that would be a breakthrough in the advancement of the national road network of the country under Bagong Pilipinas.
The bypass road project will begin in Barangay Sirawan, Toril, Davao City and will end at Barangay J.P. Laurel, Panabo City.
The Unified Project Management Office – Roads Management Cluster I (UPMO-RMC I) together with joint venture contractor, Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka, completed about 80 percent of the tunnel excavation activities and is now undertaking concrete lining and waterproofing for north and south portals. Darwin G. Amojelar
Contract Package 1-1 has a total estimated cost of P13.23 billion to be financed by a loan agreement between the government and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It is one of the subdivided three contract packages under Package 1 targeted to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, Contract Package 1-3 will complement Contract Package I-1 involving the construction of the 5.6-kilometer 4-lane road with one bridge, two cut and cover tunnels, 12 culverts and 1 overpass, which started its civil works in December 2023.
Contract Package 1-2, on the other hand, has its contract agreement for the civil works underway, after the letter of acceptance and the notice of award were subsequently issued in November 2023.
Another section of the bypass project under Package 2 is locally funded by the government of the Philippines and is subdivided into three contract packages.
Presently at 36 percent accomplishment status and targeted to finish in the first quarter of 2026, Contract Package 2-1 involves the construction of a 1.28-kilometer 4-lane road and seven bridges with a total length of 1.26-kilometer under contract with Cavite Ideal International Construction and Development Corporation in a joint venture with Wee Eng Construction Inc. and Coastland Construction and Development Corp.