THE Coastal Bypass Road of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Davao is expected to start its construction a few weeks from now despite the cancellation of the Davao Coastline and Port Development Project proposed by Mega Harbour as announced by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio last Tuesday, July 25.
DPWH-Davao chief information officer Dean Ortiz, in an interview, said the coastal road project is not affected as it is a separate project by the national government.
The coastal road, Ortiz said, will stretch from Matina Aplaya to Sta. Ana Pier to decongest traffic in the city.
Ortiz said the department expects the notice to proceed from the city goverment anytime between this week to the first week of August.
He said the first phase of the construction will be the final road alignment throughout the 8.2-kilometer construction area to see the exact direction and size of the road.
"Once the alignment is done, we will immediately begin the full-swing building and start it in Matina Aplaya to Times Beach area for the first segment," Ortiz said, adding that the P1.98 billion budget will be utilized for the first segment of the coastal road project.
Ortiz said affected business and residential establishments were already consulted and provided financial aid and relocation sites by the city government.
Ortiz said the full completion of the coastal road is targeted to finish before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends by 2022 as this is part of his "Build, Build, Build" developmental agenda.