Construction progress on Davao City's bypass tunnel reaches 60% completion
The Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) is making steady progress, with several contract packages at various stages of completion. The project, spanning 45.5 kilometers across five major contract packages, is expected to be fully operational by 2028.
As of June 2025, the project is divided into six contract packages, each with its own timeline and progress. Contract Package I-1, which started in December 2020, is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by the end of 2023 or early 2024. Meanwhile, Contract Package I-3, which began in December 2023, has made a 2.8% overall progress and is scheduled to be completed on November 24, 2027.
Currently under construction is Contract Package I-2, which started in December 2024, and Contract Package II-2, which began in August 2023. The former is expected to be completed by late 2027, while the latter is estimated to be completed in the mid to late 2026-2027 period.
Contract Package II-3, which includes six bridges, seven box culverts, and one overpass, is yet to begin as the civil works procurement is still in progress. It is expected to start only after mid-2025, with a likely completion close to 2028.
Progress on the Davao City Bypass is significant, with key components like the twin 2.3-kilometer tunnels in Barangay Waan currently under construction. These tunnels are crucial for the four-lane bypass, designed to reduce travel time and ease congestion in Davao City.
The DCBCP is funded through Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) under loan agreements with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project is a catalyst for regional development in Mindanao, offering an alternative route connecting the Davao-Digos section of the Maharlika Highway to the Davao-Agusan National Highway in Panabo City.
Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista and Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, along with DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, recently conducted an on-site inspection of the project. The inspection confirmed that all contract packages are gaining momentum, with Contract Package I-3 showing an overall progress of 2.8% as of the end of June 2025.
As the project progresses, the DCBCP is set to play a key role in traffic decongestion once the full bypass opens, with Contract Package I-2 and Contract Package I-2 expected to be completed by November 24, 2027, and January 7, 2026, respectively. Contract Package II-1, which has the highest progress so far with 79.70% completion, is expected to be completed by early 2026.
The revised target completion date for Contract Package I-1 is now September 13, 2026. The package includes the construction of a 7.9-kilometer, four-lane road, twin two-lane tunnels spanning 2.3 kilometers, three pairs of bridges, two underpasses, and two overpasses.
In summary, while some packages like I-1 are nearing completion, others are still underway or in procurement phases. The full project is expected to be completed and operational by 2028, aligning with the staggered start dates and three-year construction timelines for each package.
The Davao City Bypass Construction Project is funded through Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), demonstrating the involvement of the government in financing this major infrastructure project. With Contract Package I-2 and Contract Package I-2 currently under construction and set to be completed by late 2027 and January 7, 2026, respectively, the industry sector is contributing significantly to the transportation network in Davao City. The successful completion of these packages is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve transportation through Davao City, ultimately driving regional development in Mindanao.
