The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on Friday that the ₱3.12-billion Davao River (Bucana) Bridge Project is on pace for early completion by November this year, ahead of its original late-2025 target, marking a key milestone in the government’s flagship infrastructure initiative.
As of April, construction progress has reached 85 percent, with DPWH senior undersecretary Emil K. Sadain confirming that the final bridge deck connection is scheduled to be completed by June. This timeline allows ample buffer for final finishing works, ensuring the bridge will be operational and open to traffic by November.
Funded through an official development assistance (ODA) grant from the government of the People’s Republic of China, the 1.34-kilometer, four-lane, six-span bridge is a major component of the Davao City Coastal Road. Once opened, it is expected to significantly decongest urban routes by providing an alternative east-west corridor across the city.
A standout feature of the project is its 480.20-meter extradosed main span, supported by 10 stay cables per pier—an advanced design aimed at combining structural durability with visual impact, further enhancing the city’s evolving skyline.
The Bucana Bridge is a priority under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s “Build Better More” program, underscoring its strategic importance in achieving nationwide infrastructure modernization.
More than just easing traffic, the bridge is expected to unlock a range of economic benefits—facilitating access to services, boosting agricultural and commercial logistics, and promoting regional tourism across Mindanao.
