THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that the Bucana Bridge Project, also known as the Davao River Bridge Project which is a part of the Davao Coastal Road, is now 80 percent complete.
“Expected to be fully operational by November 2025, the bridge will enhance connectivity across Davao City’s coastal areas. It is poised to become a vital infrastructure landmark in Mindanao, driving regional economic growth, improving agricultural logistics, and supporting tourism and access to essential services,” Emil K. Sadain, senior undersecretary of DPWH, said in a report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan on April 11, 2025.
He said the construction being ahead of schedule is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the construction team in charge of the project. He added that the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), is ensuring the bridge will be completed before the end of 2025.
He, however, reminded the construction team of the importance of maintaining high standards in the remaining phases to ensure the structure’s integrity.
Sadain said that preparations are ongoing for the full connection of the 480.20-meter extradosed bridge, including the installation of 10 stay cables at Pier 2 to support the recently completed bridge deck.
Concrete pouring for segmental box girders and the stressing of cables in other piers are also progressing.
His report stated that these construction milestones have been achieved in just 16 months since the project began in November 2023.
The Bucana Bridge is a 1.3-kilometer (km), four-lane, six-span structure aiming to ease traffic congestion in Davao City. It forms part of the Davao City Coastal Road Network.
The project is being implemented by the Unified Project Management Office – Bridges Management Cluster (UPMO-BMC) and is funded through an Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant from China, with a total budget of P3.126 billion.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to accommodate around 35,000 vehicles daily. RGP