The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is accelerating construction on the landmark twin-tube mountain tunnels of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project, with a strong focus on safety and timely delivery.
DPWH senior undersecretary Emil K. Sadain reported that the southbound tunnel is now just 32 meters away from a full breakthrough, expected by Q3 2025. Meanwhile, the 2.3-kilometer northbound tunnel—marked by a ceremonial breakthrough in April—continues to undergo technical refinements. These works, led by the Shimizu–Ulticon–Takenaka Joint Venture, adapt to shifting ground conditions to maintain tunnel integrity and construction safety.
“These intensified measures are designed to ensure ground stability, construction safety, and overall project resilience,” said Sadain during a July inspection of Contract Package I-1, alongside UPMO-RMC 1 project director Benjamin A. Bautista.
Contract Package I-1, which includes the twin two-lane tunnels and supporting road infrastructure, has reached 60.64 percent completion. The package also features a 7.9-kilometer four-lane road, three pairs of bridges—including the Davao River Bridge—plus underpasses, overpasses, box culverts, and intersections.
The twin tunnels are set to become the country’s first long-distance mountain road tunnel system, a major step in Philippine infrastructure. Once completed, the Davao City Bypass will link the Davao–Digos Section of the Maharlika Highway to the Davao–Agusan National Highway in Panabo City, cutting travel time and improving regional connectivity.
The project is jointly funded by the Philippine government and Japanese Official Development Assistance through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
