CONSTRUCTION of the Bucana Bridge, which will complete the ongoing coastal road project in Davao City, is expected to finally start within the first quarter (Q1) of 2022 after more than a year of delay.
Project Manager Almario M. Monton of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) regional office said the final terms of reference for the consulting services have already been approved by the Bids and Awards Committee.
“By the first quarter of next year, this project will start its detailed design and construction because these terms of reference refer to the consulting services that will supervise the implementation of the project,” Mr. Monton said in a virtual press briefing last week.
The 540-meter, four-lane bridge, which will cost P3.11 billion, was initially scheduled for construction from 2020 to 2023. Mr. Monton said the new target completion will be by 2025.
“The delay may be brought about by the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic that we are now facing. The original schedule is no longer feasible, perhaps by the first quarter of next year we can start the project because Bucana is very important while the coastal road is almost completed,” he said.
The Bucana Bridge will be funded through a China government grant, with the agreement signed by the Chinese Embassy in Manila and DPWH in December last year.
The 18.21-kilometer Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project stretches from the Davao-Cotabato highway junction to R. Castillo in Davao City’s central area. — Maya M. Padillo