THE long-anticipated Bucana Bridge Project reached a significant milestone following the final concrete pouring on the bridge deck slab, effectively linking the entire structure from Piers 1 to 5, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) confirmed.
The ceremonial concrete pouring was held on Friday, July 18, specifically at the segment between Piers 2 and 3. This marked the structural connection of all five piers, signifying the completion of the bridge’s main superstructure.
The Bucana Bridge, a flagship component of the China Aid Localized Project, is part of the larger Davao City Coastal Road Network.
The infrastructure is designed to decongest traffic in the city’s central business districts and enhance regional mobility by providing an alternate and more efficient route across the Davao River.
Spanning 480.20 meters, the four-lane, six-span extradosed bridge forms the centerpiece of a 1,340-meter project, including its approach roads. Once completed, it will link barangays 76-A Bucana and Matina Aplaya, critical urban communities on opposite banks of the river — greatly improving daily commute times for residents and motorists.
Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, who heads the DPWH’s flagship infrastructure projects, said the bridge construction remains on schedule and is targeted for completion by October 2025.
Prior to the final deck pour, all stay cables for the bridge’s piers were fully installed as of June 26. The coming months will focus on remaining works, such as pavement curing, roadway surface finishing, installation of street lighting, pedestrian railings, and other safety features.
Once operational, the Bucana Bridge is expected to significantly ease congestion along existing downtown bridges by offering a direct and modern route for both private vehicles and public transport.
The Bucana Bridge is projected to serve thousands of commuters daily and is anticipated to become one of the key transport arteries of Davao City’s urban network. Its completion aligns with the government’s broader vision of improving infrastructure to support inclusive growth, enhance mobility, and build disaster-resilient transport systems in Mindanao. DEF