Philippines’ longest road tunnel inches toward completion

The Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) is approaching a historic milestone, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) confirming that only less than two meters remain before the breakthrough of the 2.3-kilometer southbound tunnel.

The twin-tube tunnel, the first long-distance road tunnel system in the Philippines, is being constructed through mountainous terrain and is expected to significantly ease travel congestion in the region.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain led an on-site inspection on August 22, alongside UPMO Roads Management Cluster I Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista, Bridges Management Cluster Project Director Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, and Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario.

In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Sadain described the impending excavation breakthrough as a “landmark achievement,” citing the coordination, expertise, and resilience of Filipino engineers working under challenging geological conditions.

The northbound tunnel was successfully excavated in March 2025, marking steady progress toward the project’s completion. Once operational, the bypass is expected to reduce travel time between Davao City and nearby areas by over 40 minutes, supporting regional connectivity and economic growth.

Funded through a mix of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loans and the Philippine government, the %u20B145.5-billion project highlights the country’s adoption of advanced tunneling technologies.

DPWH said the Davao Bypass is only the start of more ambitious road tunnel projects. Under the administration’s Build Better More program, plans are advancing for the Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project, which will feature twin-tube tunnels totaling 6.1 kilometers—nearly double the length of the Davao tunnels—and 10 new bridges spanning 5.8 kilometers.

Detailed engineering design for the Dalton Pass project is set to begin in early 2026.