The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) expects that the excavation of what will be the longest tunnel in the Philippines will be completed in the second quarter of the year.
According to Public Works Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, tunneling in the Davao City Bypass Construction Project will be completed by January.
"The tunnel breakthrough – an important part of the project – is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025," said Sadain.
As of January, the northbound tunnel is 95% completed and the southbound segment is 85%.
The tunnel has two sides for separate traffic directions. This is important to facilitate and speed up the trip in the mountains.
Recently, DPWH and Japanese embassy officials visited to see the progress of the project.
On Monday, Sadain and Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo inspected the construction site, along with several Japanese officials.
This project, funded by the Japanese government, is 45.5 kilometers long and has a 2.3-kilometer tunnel – the longest in the country.
When completed, the trip from Toril, Davao City to Panabo City will decrease from about two hours to 49 minutes.
The project, worth P46.8 billion, was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and is among the priorities of the Marcos administration.
