The dream bridge that will connect Davao City and Samal Island is not just a dream.
That’s the bold statement from the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 11) after reiterating on Thursday that the long-planned Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project will soon transpire.
While reminding the media that they are not the right office to talk about the project, DPWH regional director Juby Cordon said she is optimistic that the project will happen.
The project is under the DPWH-Unified Project Management Office (UPMO).
“Yes, it is a go and we are positive na mangyayari talaga ang tulay,” Cordon said in an interview during the opening of the PHILBEX and TLEX 2023 at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center.
In March last year, updates of the project were circulating online. The clearing on the Samal side started. The architectural design of the bridge on the tarpaulin was also installed right on the project site. Soil testing also commenced for the bridge.
Construction continues for the facility in Samal that will house workers of China Road and Bridge Corp., a unit of China Communications Construction Co., that will build the bridge
The P23 billion bridge project with a length of 3.98 kilometers and four lanes and will serve at least 25,000 vehicles daily is targeted to be completed by the year 2027.
On October 27, 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony for the SIDC project that would link Davao City and Samal Island.
Meanwhile, Cordon in her speech also highlighted the continued implementation of the big-ticket projects in the Davao Region.
She reported substantial accomplishments of Davao Coastal Road which has four lanes with a total length of 17.73 kilometers, the construction of the Diversion Flyover Maa-Magtuod section measuring 860 meters, the Davao City Bypass Construction Project of 7.9-kilometer lanes that includes overpasses, underpasses, bridges, and main tunnel measuring 2.3 kilometers; and the Davao City viaduct with a total length of 1.7 kilometers.
In December last year, DPWH was keen on partially opening 2024 the first 10.7-kilometer central portion of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project by accelerating ongoing excavation activities in the construction of a twin tube road mountain tunnel.
The Davao City tunnel, with a north portal in Barangay Waan and a south portal at the other end in Barangay Matina Biao, is a major component of the 10.7-kilometer contract package 1-1.
The tunnel construction works for the Davao City Bypass Construction Project started at the north portal on November 19, 2021, in the southbound direction, and on December 10, 2021, in the northbound direction.
Other than the tunnel, contract package 1-1 involves the construction of a four-lane road with a length of 7.9 kilometers; three pairs of bridges with a total length of 500 meters including the Davao River Bridge; two underpasses and two overpasses; 12 waterways culverts; and four at-grade intersections.
“These projects are all aimed to enhance the transfer of people, goods, and services and contribute to boosting the economy all for the benefit of the people in Davao Region,” Cordon said.
Cordon also said that DPWH 11 is working on the P44.5 billion worth of other infrastructure projects allocated this year for projects that include roads, bridges, flood control, multipurpose buildings, and water supply, among others.
