P23-B Samal-Davao bridge to push through, says Sen. Mark Villar

DAVAO CITY – Senator Mark Villar, a former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), remains bullish that the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) project will go ahead as planned.

Villar, in an interview here Thursday, pointed out that the project entails preparatory works that include a feasibility study (FS) and a detailed engineering design.

“This is a big-ticket project. It would take around one year for the feasibility study and another year and a half on the detailed engineering design,” he said.

The PHP23 billion SIDC project is expected to boost the Davao region's economy by enhancing the mobility of people and goods.

In a previous interview, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan projected the SIDC would start "before the year ends.”

Bonoan acknowledged that the project has encountered some legal issues involving several landowners refusing to provide road right of way.

"On the Samal side, there are still issues from the landowners,” Bonoan said.

The scenic bridge project crossing Pakiputan Strait will have landing points at the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), and Davao City along the R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction.

SIDC has a length of 3.9 kilometers, including ramps in Davao City and a 24-meter wide grade road and roundabout in Samal Circumferential Road.

Once completed, the bridge will be a four-lane, cable-stayed iconic conduit with a vertical navigational clearance of up to 47 meters.

The SIDC is expected to accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time between Samal and Davao City to five minutes, compared to the existing 30-minute ferry boat ride. (PNA)