The 2.3-kilometer northbound tunnel Bypass Construction Project in Barangay Waan, Davao City. Had its ceremonial breakthrough on April 28. (DPWH)
DAVAO CITY – The 2.3 kilometer northbound tunnel of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) had its ceremonial breakthrough on April 28 at the North Portal in Barangay Waan, Davao City.
A breakthrough is a term when two opposite tunnel sections meet. This marks the completion of the excavation works for the two lanes of the northbound tube. The southbound tube is also nearing completion at 91.28%.
The ceremony marking the milestone event was attended by top Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials led by Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, head of Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operation which oversees the project.
Also present on the occasion were Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Sec. Leo Tereso Magno, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Representative Fukui Keisuke.
“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 R. Marcos Jr., laying the groundwork for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive Bagong Pilipinas”, DPWH Secretary Bonoan said during the ceremony.
Sec. Magno of the MinDA hailed the milestone as a step pivotal to Mindanao’s aspirations.
“This bypass is a critical part of Building a Better Mindana, a future of stronger connectivity, greater prosperity, and finally, the fulfillment of the dreams we have long held,” Magno said.
The tunnel is a component of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Road Project and is touted as the longest road tunnel in the country. The tunnels are made using the Using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) or the sequential excavation method and it highlights the synergy of Philippine-Japanese collaboration and the integration of cutting-edge tunneling technology with local engineering expertise.
The 45.5-kilometer DCBCP is a four-lane, high-capacity highway designed to ease congestion in Davao City and enhance regional connectivity.
The highway infrastructure will reduce travel time between Barangay Sirawan in Toril and Barangay J.P. Laurel in Panabo City from 1 hour and 44 minutes to just 49 minutes and is expected to accelerate economic growth across the Davao Region and neighboring provinces.
With a budget of P70.82 billion the DCBCP is being implemented through six (6) contract packages, five (5) of which are currently under active construction. Procurement for the final package is expected in the third quarter of 2025. The DCBCP is targeted to be completed by 2028. (Rudolph Alama / DPWH)
20
