DAVAO CITY — The regional office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA 11) revealed on Tuesday that the implementation of the P23.04-billion Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project has been suspended since Jan. 3, 2023.
Speaking at the press briefing, NEDA 11 Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim said the suspension is due to the right of way (ROW) acquisition issue on the Davao City side that involves two to three parcels of land.
She explained that the properties, which have two owners, are located in the area where the pier of the bridge will be situated on the Davao City side.
“If non-negotiation, the government may resort to expropriations. But hopefully, the parties involved will come to an agreement,” Ms. Lim said as she expressed optimism that the ROW issue will be addressed.
The construction of the bridge involves a toll-free four-lane prestressed concrete (PC) extradosed bridge with a total length of 3.98 kilometers including ramps in Davao City and 24 meters 24-meter-wide road and roundabout at the Samal circumferential road.
Ms. Lim reported that as of November 2023, the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) based on the Design and Build Contract was already recorded at 83.91 percent.
“But it’s currently suspended effective Jan. 3, 2023, due to the prevailing issues on ROW acquisition which contributed to the delays in project implementation,” she said.
The construction of the SIDC Connector project is targeted to be completed by 2027. — Maya M. Padillo
