Bolton Bridge I, Davao City’s southbound bridge connecting key routes in the city, will be closed for ten straight days starting 10:00 PM on Thursday, July 18, until midnight on Saturday, July 27, to undergo emergency repairs on its expansion joints.
The closure was greenlit by the 21st City Council after the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) endorsed the move. The recommendation came after a contractor-led inspection flagged unresolved issues from the first round of repairs earlier this year.
Why another closure?
In case it feels like déjà vu, that’s because it is. Bolton Bridge I was previously closed from April 4 to May 18, but only during the hours of 10 PM to 5 AM. That schedule was meant to ease the disruption of daytime traffic, but apparently it wasn’t enough.
“Karon, ang gusto nila, which is na-confirm pud sa tao sa CTTMO, nga i-close nila for 10 days, magsugod July 18 alas 10 sa gabii until July 27, and hopefully maagian na sa July 28,” said CTTMO Acting Head Atty. Eduardo Perez IV.
Earlier, the CTTMO had reservations about a full-day closure and had only agreed to nightly work. But contractors said the original setup didn’t allow enough time for optimal curing—the critical drying and hardening stage of the repair.
“Dili kaayo layo, dili kaayo pinaspasan—kay ang among guidelines kay three days before, dapat inform na namo. Kani, one-week informed na daan,” Perez added, explaining why the CTTMO is backing the new timeline.
What routes stay open?
Here’s the good news: Bolton Bridge II (northbound) will remain open and temporarily accommodate two-way traffic for public utility vehicles (PUVs) and private vehicles.
What’s being rerouted?
Photo: Davao CTTMO/ Facebook
Heavy vehicles, particularly large trucks, will not be allowed to pass through Bolton Bridge II. Alternate routes include:
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Quezon Blvd. to San Pedro Street, then to E. Quirino Ave. or McArthur Highway
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G. Torres Street (Sandawa) to Quimpo Boulevard
“Wala po’y re-routing sa PUV, ang naa lang re-routing ang mga truck. We will put an advisory, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),” Perez clarified.
“Mag-deploy mi’g personnel diha, in coordination with the DPWH, to check truck nga muagi diha. (We will deploy personnel in the area, in coordination with the DPWH, to check for trucks. Kami, we will advise and coordinate with stakeholders,” he said.
What to expect next?
This 10-day schedule was deliberately approved in advance to give the public time to prepare. The CTTMO will begin info dissemination immediately, with rerouting signs and traffic advisories to be released in coordination with the DPWH.
If everything stays on track, Bolton Bridge I will reopen by July 28, just in time for the city’s busy midyear stretch.
Got somewhere to be between July 18 and 27? Plan, adjust your routes, and leave early. Ten days of detour is a small price to pay for safer infrastructure and fewer surprise breakdowns later.
Follow CTTMO and the City Government of Davao for real-time updates and rerouting info.
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