DPWH works simultaneously on both ends of 2.3km Davao City Mountain Tunnel

A new milestone was reached by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Davao City Bypass Construction Project with excavation works for the 2.3-kilometer twin tube road mountain tunnel now conducted at four (4) areas north and south portals.

DPWH Undersecretary and Build Build Build Chief Implementer Emil K. Sadain together with Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Economic Affairs Minister Masahiro Nakata and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto led on June 9, 2022 the ceremonial kick-off of excavation activities for south portal tunnel southbound direction.

Undersecretary Sadain, in-charge of Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, explained that the road tunnel construction works using cutting-edge equipment and technologies were earlier started at north portal on November 19, 2021 for southbound direction and December 10, 2021 for northbound direction while excavation activities from opposite end at south portal northbound direction commenced last May 12, 2022.

Simultaneous tunnel portal construction activities on both ends will fast-track the completion of the soon to be first-ever long distance road mountain tunnel in the Philippines, Undersecretary Sadain said.

Based on the report of Undersecretary Sadain to DPWH Acting Secretary Roger G. Mercado, construction of road tunnel at north portal has reached 202 meters at southbound and 91 meters at northbound.

The construction of road tunnel involves excavation of tunnel portal areas using the conventional "New Austrian Tunneling Method”, mucking or removal of soil from tunnel interior, initial shotcrete to protect from risk of fall materials and to prevent loosening during shotcrete application, steel ribs installation to provide effective structural protection, second shotcrete with wire mesh to secure stability, and rock bolt installation to provide bearing force and become a part of tunnel support system.

The kick-off ceremony, following Filipino and Japanese traditions, at Barangay Matina Biao, Davao City was also attended by Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. representing Davao City Mayor-elect Sebastian Z. Duterte; DPWH UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 (Bilateral) Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista; Embassy of Japan 1st Secretary Jumpei Tachikawa; JICA Representative Ochi Kaoru; Davao City District Engineer Richard Ragasa; Project Managers Joselito Reyes and Joweto V. Tulaylay; Engrs. Juan M. Diña Jr. and Earl Nicholas F. Rada; and officers of the consultants Nippon Koei Ltd., Katahira & Engineers International, Nippon Engineering Consultants Co., and PhilKoei International Inc.

The 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project is divided into six (6) contract packages (CP) with the on-going CP 1-1 covering a 10.7 kilometers of 4-lane highway and 18.9 kilometers CP 1-2 and CP 1-3 under procurement stage financed by Official Development Assistance (ODA) from JICA thru the Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) Loan Agreement Nos. PH-P261 and PH-P273. While for funding by the Government of the Philippines are CP 2-1, CP 2-2 and CP 2-3 with a total length of 15.9 kilometers.

The opening of new road networks through the Davao City Bypass Construction Project is expected to usher more development opportunities as it will greatly improve Davao City's accessibility and traffic condition.

“On behalf of DPWH, I would like to thank the Government of Japan thru JICA together with other development partners Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Export Import Bank of Korea, and Export-Import Bank of China for taking a great part in bolstering the Philippines’ stride to reach the peak of infrastructure development through the “Build, Build, Build” Program that will elevate living condition and benefit every Filipino”, added Undersecretary Sadain.

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Other than the tunnel, CP 1-1 awarded to Shimizu – Ulticon - Takenaka joint venture involves construction of four (4)-lane road with a length of 7.9 kilometers; three (3) pairs of bridges with total length of 500 meters including the Davao River Bridge; two (2) underpasses and two (2) overpasses; 12 waterways culverts; and four (4) at-grade intersection.

Starting from Davao-Digos section of the Pan-Philippine Highway in Brgy Sirawan, Davao City going to Davao-Panabo section of the Pan-Philippine Highway in Brgy J.P. Laurel, Panabo City, the project is expected to ease traffic situations along the areas.

The completion of the entire bypass road project will slash travel time to under 49 minutes from the usual 1 hour and 44 minutes.

Source: DPWH

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DPWH works simultaneously on both ends of 2.3km Davao City Mountain Tunnel

Based on the report of Undersecretary Sadain to DPWH Acting Secretary Roger G. Mercado, construction of road tunnel at north portal has reached 202 meters at southbound and 91 meters at northbound.