A geotechnical team from China is in town to conduct a geotechnical investigation (soil sampling) for the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project along Daang Maharlika Highway (Lanang), Davao City on Monday.
Based on the City Mayor’s permit/clearance for road excavation, drainage, restoration, and widening signed by Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) chief Dionisio Abude and approved by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the permit was issued “in favor of Yuan Xiaocong, project manager of China and Bridge Corporation in contract with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Central Office for the excavation works for the forthcoming geotechnical investigation for the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project.”
The activity strengthened the public’s optimism that this is the implementation of the long-planned bridge will soon commence.
It can be recalled that Consul General Li Lin of the Chinese Consulate General in Davao said that the groundbreaking for the P19 billion bridge is dependent on DPWH.
Lin also expressed optimism that the project will be implemented.
“There is substantial progress and we are optimistic to see the carry out of the project through the joint efforts from the Chinese side and the Philippine side,” he said.
Meanwhile, the permit is in accordance with the CTTMO’s mandate that before actual work will begin, the CTTMO should be notified in advance and if there is a road closure, the project is subject to deliberation/discussion by the City Transport and Traffic Management Board (CTTMB) to mitigate street jams and congestions.
It also stated that day work may be done provided that it shall not encroach or include any part of the existing road and shall be limited only within the work area utilized for road widening and beyond the outer lane of the road and shall not impede the flow of traffic.
“For a 4-lane road (2-lane in one direction), always open one (1) lane passable for motorists and provide a minimum of 1.20 meters width of footpath for the pedestrians. All safety measures should be properly observed (e.g. placing of railings in the construction area, etc.). For unfinished work within a day, all excavated portions should be covered for safety purposes and ready to open for public use. Standard advance safety/warning signs should be installed conspicuously in appropriate places and adequate lighting must also be installed for the safety of motorists and pedestrians,” it said.
CTTMO also ordered that all dug or excavated areas must be properly restored to their original form under the standard specification for road construction.
CTTMO issued this order after reporting that among the culprits why some traffic lights in Davao City are not functioning is the ongoing excavations and road widening activities in the city.
