Davao City: The excavation works of the northbound and southbound tunnels of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project are almost complete, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported. In a statement, DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain highlighted that the centerpiece of the 10.7-km contract package I-1 is a 2.3-km road mountain tunnel, set to become the longest tunnel in the Philippines upon completion.
According to Philippines News Agency, the entire project has an estimated total cost of PHP 46.8 billion and is targeted for completion within the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. On Monday, Sadain and Japanese Ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya inspected the ongoing road mountain tunnel component of the project, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance connectivity across Davao City and neighboring areas.
Sadain noted that excavation for the northbound tunnel is over 95 percent complete, while the southbound tunnel is more than 85 percent finished. A tunnel breakthrough, marking the end of the most critical phase of tunneling, is anticipated by the second quarter of 2025. Once completed, the project is expected to reduce travel time between Toril and Panabo City from one hour and 44 minutes to just 49 minutes, thereby alleviating traffic congestion and boosting productivity.
The project is also expected to stimulate economic activity by opening up new opportunities for trade, tourism, and business, while creating thousands of jobs. It will drive the growth of new economic hubs, raise land values, and solidify Davao's position as a key regional growth center in Mindanao. The project is partially financed by the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency and aligns with the Marcos administration's 'Build, Better, More' program, a component of the Philippine Development Plan aimed at enhancing national connectivity to promote economic growth and improve transportation efficiency across the country.
