Gov’t to install fresh batch of concrete barriers for EDSA Busway

Thousands of concrete barriers will soon be installed  along EDSA to separate the dedicated bus lane on the main Metro thoroughfare, as the first tranche of blockades were delivered over the weekend.

The concrete barriers—intended to provide a specific lane for the buses plying along the said thoroughfare, is in line with government’s commitment to provide an efficient mode of transport.

The EDSA busway is a project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) alongside the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The delivery comes soon after the MMDA announced that the government will procure more warning signs after a van slammed into the concrete barriers and overturned along EDSA-Guadalupe northbound near Go Hotel.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the project, which is part of the continuous development of the EDSA busway, reflects their dedication to arrange an efficient and safe transport for the commuter.

“Pinabilis natin ‘yung delivery ng mga concrete barriers sapagkat nagsimula na ‘ho tayo ng interim operations. Kinakailangan nating siguraduhin na ligtas at maayos ang ating busway para sa mga commuter. Ayaw nating biguin ang ating mga kababayan lalo ngayon na mas dumarami ang nakikinabang sa benepisyo nito,” Tugade said.

The transportation department has allotted 36,000 concrete barriers that are meant to segregate the bus lanes, located on the innermost lanes of EDSA, from the other lanes of the highway.

Up to the middle of this week (July 22) some 9,000 units will be initially delivered, while three remaining 27,000 units will be delivered in three parts (9,000 units each) every after 15 days.

The DOTr claims to have saved up to P16.2 million as the barriers were procured at P4,300 per piece, unlike to the P4,750 per piece approved budget for the contract of the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group, based on the initial quotations submitted by contractors.

Additionally, the agency was able to cut down the expected delivery period from 155 days down to 72 days.

For his part, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said the concrete barriers will be installed along EDSA immediately upon delivery.

“As per the directive of Secretary Tugade, we will fast-track the completion of the EDSA busway together with other concerned agencies. The delivery of barriers will be along EDSA already so mailalagay na rin natin ang mga ito upon receipt,” Pastor noted.

The interim operations of the EDSA busway—which is targeted to cut travel time from Monumento, Caloocan to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) from 2-3 hours to around an hour –started this month, and some 550 buses are allowed to use it.

Photo/s from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

Also read:

Cars, Trucks Spotted Using Laguna Lake Highway's Bike Lane

Number of NCR bus routes reach 31

EDSA Busway interim operation starts today