₱23 Billion Davao-Samal Bridge To Start Construction Soon

Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte revealed the PHP 23 billion Davao-Samal Bridge project is already on its final stages during her State of the City Address (SOCA) last October.

Conceptualized 40 years ago, the bridge project has been identified as among the big-ticket infrastructure initiatives under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

“We encourage everyone to support this project and for the Sanggunian and the relevant departments of the city government to issue the necessary documents and permits, subject to a thorough review,” Mayor Sara said.

President Duterte said the project is currently on the second stage of the feasibility study, and that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has finalized the bridge’s design.

“We are asking the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia to help us with this project. The papers are already in the central office,” the presidential daughter said.

This hosts the other part of the bridge that would connect the ongoing Coastal Bypass Road project, which provides connectivity within and outside of Davao City.

With a length of about 2,830 meters, the mayor said the bridge would provide a vital link for trade and tourism for both areas through reduced transport costs and faster flow of people, goods, and resources.

On November 29, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) approved two Davao City major projects: the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) and the Davao-Samal Bridge.

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Neda granted PHP 23.04 billion for the implementation of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project, which aims to provide a permanent road linkage between Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) resulting in the reduction of travel time and reliability constraints currently experienced through the use of ferry services. 

Neda said the project involves the construction of a toll-free four-lane [two-lane each direction] bridge with an approximate length of 2.80 kms, a width of 24.2 meters, and a vertical clearance of 45 meters that can serve around 25,000 vehicles a day.

They also said the project will also include the construction of interchanges with the existing road network, local existing junction improvements, viaducts over sections of land and approach bridges over the marine area. 

“The project shall be implemented from 2020-2024, with construction period scheduled from 2021-2024. The operation will be from 2025 onwards,” Neda said in a press statement.

Source: PNA