Road mountain tunnel project in Davao excavation resumes after water seepage issue

Excavations on the north portal of the Davao City road mountain tunnel project reportedly resumed after it was temporarily halted by water seepage on the tunnel roof, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced.

The use of Japanese waterproofing technology and materials, the agency explained, has helped the DPWH and its contractor address the aforementioned problem.

In addition, the DPWH is accelerating ongoing excavation activities in the construction of the twin-tube road mountain tunnel.

In an inspection last December 1, DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain expressed optimism that excavation works for the 2.3-kilometer (km) long-distance mountain tunnel will be completed by December 2023.

“We are fast-tracking the simultaneous construction of the road mountain tunnel in four areas of its north and south portals,” Sadain said.

Sadain also stated in his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan that the joint venture contractor Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka led by Project Director Akira Mito has so far excavated, sprayed concrete or “shotcrete”, and installed steel ribs support reinforcement and rock bolts on the tunnel.

The DPWH undersecretary. added that the progress for the north portal is at 292 meters (m) in southbound and 232m in northbound directions.

Photos from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

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