Philippines Rdc Endorses Tender

The Regional Development Council XI RDC the highest planning and policy-making body in Davao Region recently endorsed the DPWH recommendation to construct an extradosed bridge that will connect Davao City R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika to Samal Island Circumferential Road or the Southern Corridor Alignment.The project team from DPWH and Ove Arup Partners HK Ltd. presented to the RDC during its 1st Quarter Meeting March 26 the results of the feasibility study on the Samal Island-Davao City Connector SIDC Project. DPWH Project Manager Lilibeth Rico conveyed the study results of six options which included the construction of an immersed tube tunnel and a box girder bridge highlighting the recommendation for an extradosed bridge via the Southern Corridor Alignment.The RDC XI considered the Southern Corridor Alignment as it complies with the navigational clearance along the Pakiputan Straight and the Francisco Bangoy International Airport Obstacle Height Limitation.The Council also affirmed the option for an extradosed bridge a combination of a girder bridge and a cable-stayed bridge which was found to be the best in terms of the technical financial economic environmental and social criteria. In addition the Davao City end part of the bridge shall also connect to the ongoing Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project which further enhances the bridge connectivity within and outside of Davao City.The bridge is estimated to cost P22.4 billion following the length of 2830 meters.Rico explained that the DPWH will then follow a Design-Bid-Build-Contract Approach estimated to last for a 60 month over all duration.The study will officially end in August 2019 and there will be a 4-month procurement schedule by 2020. The project is set to start by November 2020 while construction is expected to last for 3 years Rico said.The SIDC Project is aimed at providing infrastructure solution to the long travel time and limited accessibility between Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal. Currently the visitors of the island complained about the long queue they experience just to transfer from Davao City port to Samal Island.The said project is expected to provide a resilient reliable transportation link for residents and commuters. Overall it is aimed to enhance internal circulation mobility and external linkages to support the growth potential of the Davao Region.