Samal Island-Davao City Bridge Project
New Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan has
confirmed that the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project, one of the
flagship projects under the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte
administration, will push through.
The project was recently officially launched in ceremonies attended by
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi; Ambassador to the
Philippines Huang Xilian; Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique
A. Manalo, and DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and Undersecretary Emil K.
Sadain.
The project will see a 3.98-kilometer bridge with four lanes connecting the
Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao, Island Garden City of Samal
to Davao City in between R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction.
The bridge crossing over Pakiputan Strait will be 24 meters wide and will
have a vertical navigational clearance of up to 47 meters.
The toll-free bridge funded by Official Development Assistance from China
to the tune of 23 billion pesos is expected to begin construction this year
and is targeted for completion in 2027.
Once completed motorists can drive from Davao City to Samal in around five
minutes.
China funded bridge projects have a good record for completion. These
include the Estrella-Pantaleon and Binondo-Intramuros Bridges which have
become tourist attractions.