SAMAL Island-Davao City Connector Bridge project. (DPWH-11)
DAVAO CITY – The Island Garden City of Samal is now formulating plans to prepare its transport system in time for the completion of the highly-anticipated Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge (SIDC).
Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Lemuel “Toto” Reyes recently convened key agencies and representatives from the transport sector in the city to discuss plans to prepare the public transport system in the island.
Reyes called for a consultative meeting as the city government is laying down plans for the future of transportation in the city as they are anticipating the influx of tourists and vehicles once the bridge is completed in 2028.
The meeting mapped safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility solutions for the island.
Present in the meeting with Ariel Lim, senior consultant on public transport of the Office of Sen. Raffy Tulfo and president of the National Public Transport Coalition (NPTC), representatives from the Land Transportation Office-Traffic Safety Division Central Office (LTO-TSD CO), Eleazar Lape, city planning and development coordinator, and Estelito Lenogon, president of the United Association of Tricycle Operators and Drivers of Samal (UNATODS).
The P20-8 billion SIDC project is a toll-free, four-lane extradosed bridge, which will span 4.76 kilometers, connecting R. Castillo–Daang Maharlika in Davao City to the Samal Circumferential Road.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), it features a 275-meter main span, 47-meter vertical clearance for marine traffic, and a 1.62-kilometer marine section supported by 73-meter-high pylons.
The project was launched October 2022 but full-scale civil works began in May 2024.
The DPWH reported that the project has a 38 percent accomplishment rate as of June and is well ahead of its original schedule.
The project is funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA) from China, managed by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office-Bridges Management Cluster, and implemented by China Road and Bridge Corp. (CRBC).
Reyes said that the collaboration between the national government, the city government, and local stakeholders is vital to ensure a viable transport system that supports growth while maintaining the island’s unique charm and livability.
The local government said that the project, once completed, could boost the local economy, more particularly the tourism industry.
Home to some of the most popular white-sand beaches in the region, the island is one of the top tourist destinations in the Davao region.