The National Economic and Development Authority in Region XI (NEDA-11) said that a bridge as a structure to connect the Island Garden City of Samal and Davao City is not feasible. Government planners are considering an underwater tunnel instead.
“The tunnel is one of the design options being considered because of the geophysical limitations for the proposed bridge,” said NEDA 11 director Maria Lourdes D. Lim.
Lim said that the proposed bridge connecting Davao City and the
Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) has some physical constraints, including
the height for the flight path and securing a navigational clearance for
vessels entering Davao Gulf, where the Pakiputan Strait is also located. Pakiputan
Strait is a narrow shipping navigational channel whose distance is a little
over one kilometer.
The NEDA official however clarified that the feasibility study is still
ongoing, and that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the
project implementer, is considering several approaches.
“We’re also looking into the environmental implications but we cannot say this is the last resort,” she said.
Lim said that the result of the conducted study will be announced before the end of the year. According to NEDA, the P10- billion worth project of the bridge will have an approximate length of 1.8 kilometers.
