The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is accelerating the construction of the 4.76-kilometer Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge, which will link Davao City to the Island Garden City of Samal.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain reported that the project is more than 12 percent complete, with ongoing work focused on the bridge’s foundation and substructure.

A key milestone was reached on Apr. 11 with the successful bi-directional static load test for an offshore pile, ensuring the safety and integrity of the bridge’s foundation.

Part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Build Better More program, the SIDC Bridge will feature a four-lane extradosed bridge with a 530-meter main span and is expected to be completed by 2028.

Once finished, the bridge aims to boost economic growth, tourism, and transportation links across the Davao region.

Work on the viaducts has made significant progress, with 74 bored piles completed for the east land viaduct on the Samal side and 73 out of 110 piles poured for the west land viaduct on the Davao side.

Funded by a P20.84-billion Official Development Assistance loan from China, the project is under contract with the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with strict quality control measures in place to ensure long-term safety and durability.

DPWH is also working on land acquisition, which is 83 percent complete, and road widening efforts along Daang Maharlika, including the relocation of electric poles and clearing of obstructions.

“This bridge is a key part of our commitment to accelerating infrastructure development under the Bagong Pilipinas vision, and we are dedicated to delivering it on schedule for the benefit of the Davao region and its people,” Sadain said.