The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a ceremonial breakthrough for the Southbound Tunnel of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) following the successful connection of the tunnel’s northern and southern sections at the project’s South Portal in Brgy. Waan, Davao Cityon Friday.
The 2.3-kilometer tunnel, a centerpiece of Contract Package 1-1, forms part of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass and is the first long-distance mountain road tunnel in the Philippines.
The celebration followed the completion of the excavation works of the northbound tunnel in April 2025 and marked another milestone toward the full completion of the twin-tube tunnel, each tube with a 10-meter diameter.
The civil works began in December 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a series of ceremonial kick-offs at the north and south portals held in 2021 and 2022.
The Contract Package 1-1, awarded to the Shimizu–Ulticon–Takenaka Joint Venture, includes the construction of 10.7 kilometers of four-lane highway, the 2.3-kilometer tunnel, three river-crossing bridges, two underpasses, and six access roads.
DPWH reported that, to date, it has achieved over 61 percent and the target for completion by October 2026.
DPWH added that the DCBCP is presently 9.62 kilometers completed, with 26.12 kilometers currently under active construction.
Located at the starting point of the bypass in Barangay Sirawan, Toril, Contract Package 1-2 spans 11.9 kilometers of four-lane roadway with seven bridges and one underpass and is scheduled for completion by November 2027.
The Contract Package 1-3 directly connects to the tunnel and features a 5.5-kilometer stretch of road, one bridge, and two cut-and-cover tunnels, with completion targeted in December 2026.
The Contract Package 2-1, which includes 1.4 kilometers of road and seven bridges totaling 1.3 kilometers in length, is expected to be delivered by January 2026.
The Contract Package 2-2, which is set for completion by July 2026, involves the construction of 2.5 kilometers of road, seven bridges, three overpasses, and one box culvert.
DPWH also said that the Contract Package 2-3 is currently in the procurement stage for the final segment of the bypass alignment that covers a 9.3-kilometer stretch with six bridges, seven box culverts, and one overpass.
