The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reported significant progress on the Davao River (Bucana) Bridge Project, which is now in its final phase of construction and on track for early completion, well ahead of its original late-2025 target.
Spanning 1.34 kilometers with four lanes and six spans, the ₱3.126-billion Bucana Bridge is poised to become a major infrastructure landmark in Davao City. Once completed, it will accommodate an estimated 35,000 vehicles daily and significantly ease traffic congestion along the city’s coastal corridor.
DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, together with Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, led a site inspection on Monday, April 28, 2025. The project is currently 85% complete, with the final bridge deck connection scheduled for completion by June 2025. This timeline sets the stage for the bridge to open to vehicular traffic by November 2025.
Also present during the inspection were Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, DPWH Undersecretaries Eugenio R. Pipo Jr. and Eric Ayapana, Assistant Secretary Loreta M. Malaluan, and key officials from the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO), including Project Directors Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, Benjamin A. Bautista, and Ramon A. Arriola III, as well as Regional Office XI Director Juby B. Cordon and Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario.
Funded through an Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Bucana Bridge is a critical component of the Davao City Coastal Road. This alternative route is expected to reduce pressure on the city’s congested inner roads while enhancing regional mobility.
A standout feature of the bridge is its 480.20-meter extradosed span, supported by 10 stay cables per pier. This design not only offers structural durability and strength but also adds a visually striking element to the Davao skyline.
The Bucana Bridge is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Build Better More” program, which prioritizes transformative infrastructure to support inclusive economic growth. According to Senior Undersecretary Sadain, who oversees flagship projects funded through ODA, this bridge is more than just a transportation solution—it’s a driver of regional development.
Beyond traffic decongestion, the bridge will connect Davao’s east and west coastal areas, improve access to public services, support agriculture and commerce, and promote tourism across Mindanao. It is expected to play a vital role in unlocking long-term economic opportunities and is seen as a key symbol of the Bagong Pilipinas vision for modernization and progress.
