On Monday, April 28, 2025, a breakthrough ceremony was held at the North Portal in Barangay Waan, Davao City, marking a significant milestone in the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP). This event celebrated the completion of the 2.3-kilometer, two-lane northbound tunnel segment of the project.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines; representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); the project contractor Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka Joint Venture; and consultants from the Nippon Koei-Nippon Engineering-Katahira Engineers and Philkoei Joint Venture.
Highlighting the strong cultural ties between the Philippines and Japan, the event featured a traditional Kagami Wari (sake barrel breaking) and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing unity and joint celebration.
Supported by JICA, the Davao City Bypass Construction Project involves the development of a 29.7-kilometer, four-lane road that includes several bridges and a twin-tube, 2.3-kilometer tunnel. Simultaneously, the Philippine government is constructing an additional 15.8-kilometer segment of the bypass road. In total, the Davao City Bypass will span 45.5 kilometers, serving as a high-capacity, four-lane highway aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Davao City and improving regional connectivity.
Currently, travel between the Davao-Digos and Davao-Tagum sections of the Maharlika Highway takes approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes. Once the bypass is completed, travel time is expected to be reduced to just 49 minutes.
The DCBCP is being executed through six contract packages, five of which are already under active construction. Procurement for the final package is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025.
The twin tunnels, being constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), also known as the sequential excavation method, will be the longest mountain road tunnels in the Philippines. The full completion and operational launch of the Davao City Bypass is targeted for 2028.
