Long-awaited Davao City Coastal Road segment set to open next week

By Sheendy Patricia Olivares/AdDU Intern

IF EVERYTHING goes according to plan, a segment of the Davao City Coastal Road will be opened to vehicles next week. 

On Tuesday’s regular session, DPWH XI acting regional director Juby B. Cordon gave updates on the initial progress and the inauguration of the coastal road. 

DCCR has four segments; Segment A (Bago Aplaya – Times Beach), Segment B (Times Beach – Roxas Avenue), Segment C (Roxas Avenue – Santa Ana Wharf Road), and Segment D (Santa Ana Wharf Road – R. Castillo).

“Last week, I met with the Secretary of DPWH, Sec. Bonoan to request for the inauguration of Segment A. We are hoping to have the inauguration in this last week of May,” she said.

She said they only need to complete some finishing touches for Segment A, covering Bago Aplaya to Tulip Drive, including the asphalting works, streetlights power connection, water connection at the esplanade, and concrete railings. However, she expects these to be finished by May 24. 

Meanwhile, Cordon reported that they completed about 11.8 kilometers or 79.45% of the total 18-kilometer stretch. 

In January this year, the coastal road opened to the public but was limited to leisure activities like jogging, running, walking, exercise, skating, and biking. Vehicles and motorcycles must be parked at the designated parking areas.

However, the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) announced that leisure activities would be banned once the vehicles are allowed to pass through the coastal road. 

The project began construction in 2017, stretching from Bago Aplaya in the south to R. Castillo, Agdao District to the north. The project hurdled delays due to the pandemic and right-of-way issues.