The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the ceremonial breakthrough of the southbound tunnel for the 45.5 km Davao City Bypass, a key milestone in the PHP125 billion infrastructure project.
The 2.3 km twin-tube tunnel, each with a 10 meter diameter, is the first long-distance mountain road tunnel in the Philippines. Excavation for the northbound tube was completed in April 2025, with overall works for Contract Package 1-1 now more than 61 per cent finished.
Contract Package 1-1, awarded to the Shimizu–Ulticon–Takenaka Joint Venture, covers 10.7 km of highway, the tunnel, three bridges, two underpasses, and six access roads. Completion is targeted by October 2026. Other contract packages of the bypass are progressing with completion timelines ranging from January 2026 to November 2027, while the final segment is still in procurement.
The Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for providing vital funding through loan agreements PH-P261 and PH-P273. The project has so far completed 9.62 km, with 26.12 km under active construction.
Once completed, the Davao City Bypass is expected to significantly cut travel time between Toril and Panabo, improve logistics flow, and decongest traffic in the Davao urban core.