Elevated Expressway on EDSA Proposed by SMC

Can an elevated, ten-lane expressway be the missing link to finally unlocking the solution to Epifanio delos Santos Avenue’s (EDSA) traffic problem?

No, it doesn’t (tough luck); but at least it will help decongest Metro Manila, especially when erected in specific, strategic places in EDSA.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang explains in Philippine Star:

“For decongesting Metro Manila, we have a proposal like elevated EDSA. Me and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade are discussing to have an elevated expressway on EDSA, meaning from Macapagal Avenue all the way to Balintawak or Samson Road, Quezon City.”

He also added that SMC is planning to submit its proposal to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) by next week. If approved, the project will be operational within 24-30 months.

Meanwhile, the government is open to SMC’s proposal when proven feasible.

“What Mr. Ang is offering is that he’ll do it. If the government sees it as viable and it wants to buy it at cost, he will sell it. So that means, if the government now wants to take over the facility, it just has to pay him for the expenses. Otherwise, SMC will operate it,” Transportation Undersecretary for Planning Ruben Reinoso said in a separate statement.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia also said that the MMDA will support any infrastructure plan that will improve Metro Manila’s traffic.

San Miguel Corporation is a Filipino multinational publicly listed conglomerate holding company in the Philippines. It is the country’s biggest corporation in terms of revenue, and employs around 24,000 employees over 100 major facilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region.