MOFCOM provides RMB 40.6 million grant for Davao River Bridge (Bucana Bridge) Construction Project

On December 9, 2020, the Chinese Government and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed an exchange of letters and an implementation agreement for the Davao River Bridge (Bucana Bridge) Project.

The grant proceeds were to be used to finance an RMB 40,633,038.76 commercial contract (for project design and construction supervision) signed by DPWH and a consortium consisting of CCCC Highway Consultants Co., Ltd. and Beijing Zhongjiao Road & Bridge Supervision Co., Ltd, which was signed on July 6, 2022.

The purpose of the project is to construct the Davao River Bridge.

Also known as the Bucana Bridge, the Davao River Bridge will have dual two-lane roads with a total length of 1,340 meters located at the estuary of Davao River in Davao City.

Upon completion, the project is expected to improve traffic congestion in the east-west coastal areas of the city by diverting around 35,000 vehicles per day. An estimate of 300 to 500 Dabawenyos is also expected to benefit as employees of the construction project.

The project was designed to follow a localized method of implementation, with the Philippine side in charge of technical works and project management during the entire process.

A 'notice to proceed' was issued by DPWH to CCCC Highway Consultants Co., Ltd. and Beijing Zhongjiao Road & Bridge Supervision Co., Ltd on July 1, 2022. The originally expected duration of the project was 30 months.

The surveys and design phase of the project was scheduled to be completed in six months, while the construction supervision was targeted to last for 24 months or two years. As of April 14, 2025, the bridge is still under construction. The new estimated completion date is November 2025.