The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines and Embassy of China and Commercial Counsellor Jin Yuan have signed the minutes of discussion (MOD) for the proposed 23.3km Davao City Expressway Project. 

Under the agreement, a team of experts will visit the country to assess the expressway project. 

DPWH secretary Mark Villar said: "We are happy to announce that we received another grant from the People’s Republic of China, this time to push through with the feasibility study of the 23.3km Davao City Expressway Project."

As part of the feasibility study, the team will focus on various aspects such as socioeconomic and economic analysis, environmental and social impact assessments, as well as geological surveys. 

According to the initial plan proposed by the DPWH, the project will be completed in three phases. 

Works covered in Phase 1 include construction of an elevated viaduct with an estimated length of 8.45km beginning from the intersection of Leon Garcia St and Monteverde St and at the junction to Sta Ana Port. 

"The project will be completed in three phases."

The viaduct will terminate at the existing Davao City Diversion Road near the Davao River Bridge in Barangay Ma-a.

Phase 2 works will see construction of an 8.35km elevated viaduct at the intersection of Daang Maharlika and Davao City Diversion Road in Barangay Panacan that will pass through the existing alignment of the Davao City Diversion Road and ends at the Davao River Bridge in Barangay Ma-a. 

In Phase 3, DPWH proposes to build a new road at the end point of Phase 1 and Phase 2, which will be nearly parallel to the existing diversion road and moves in a west direction and then south-west until it terminates at the Davao City Diversion Road near Catalunan Grande Road.

Upon completion of the project, the expressway is expected to reduce traffic congestion in Davao City, as well as ease access to Sta Ana Port and other suburban areas. 

Image: China and DPWH sign agreement for Davao City Expressway Project. Photo: courtesy of Republic of the Philippines.