The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday said the P23.52 billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project is on track for completion before the end of 2028.
Emil K. Sadain, DPWH senior undersecretary said the ongoing bored piling works for the land viaduct structure of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project, which began in May 2024, are progressing well.
To date, 42 of the 72 bored piles on the Samal side have been completed, while on Davao City side, 23 of 72 were completed.
The Detailed Engineering Design (DED) phase is also nearing completion at 94.41 percent, including the approval of the design plans for substructure and superstructure of the land viaduct, marine viaduct, and navigation bridge.
According to Sadain, despite encountering challenges and legal issues in project implementation, the DPWH is taking measures to ensure that issues are promptly addressed. This approach aims to keep civil works on schedule, avoiding delays and adhering to the project timeline.
“We are closely coordinating and monitoring every detail of progress in this project, as we aim to open this bridge to traffic within the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. This bridge will serve as one of the pioneering modern transportation infrastructures in Mindanao, enhancing economic growth, connectivity, and access to essential services and activities in IGaCoS and the Davao Region,” Sadain said.
With an estimated total cost of P23.52 billion, the SIDC Project is funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Government of China.
The SIDC Project features a four-lane (two lanes each direction) extradosed bridge with a total length of 4.01 kilometers, a main span of 275 meters, and a vertical navigation clearance of 47 meters across the Pakiputan Strait. The marine crossing is approximately 1.62 kilometers long with a seabed depth of 40 meters, supported by two pylons standing 73 meters above sea level.
When completed, the bridge will provide a resilient and reliable transportation link between IGaCoS and Davao City, instrumental in spurring economic growth and development in the Southern Philippines.
