Soon, Bikers and Pedestrians Will Enjoy Elevated Greenways on EDSA

Think of EDSA, and all you can think about are pollution and traffic congestion. Now, the good news is that the Philippine government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are collaborating on a USD100-million (or PHP5-billion) loan to construct six to seven greenways project on EDSA. 

According to Director General of the ADB Southeast Asia Department Ramesh Subramaniam, they will initially work on the intersections of North EDSA, Ortigas and Taft Avenues along EDSA. They may also extend their technical assistance to a similar project that will happen in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.

Pedestrian- and Biker- Friendly

According to Deputy Director General of ADB-Southeast Asia Cleo Kawawaki, the greenways will have a walkway for pedestrians and a lane for bikers.

"They will be on the same track--all elevated bikeways, as well as pedestrian [walkways>. That's the configuration they are looking at right now," Kawawaki said.

The elevated walkways will also allow commuters stopping at the Ortigas station to head straight to Megamall without going down. This means they can walk to the MRT3 stations straight towards malls and offices conveniently.

"What we're trying to do is see if there are ways where we can have the bicycle [lane> also on the elevated [path> so that the roads are reserved for the cars. So less accidents, less traffic," Kawawaki added.

Waiting for NEDA's Go-Signal

Inquirer.com reported that the project has yet to be approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board (NEDA). The project needs NEDA's approval before they can sign the loan agreement.

"We are very optimistic about it. We're going to start small, but there's a good plan, a good feasibility study that has been done and the [Department of Transportation> as well as the [Department of Public Works and Highways> are very keen, they're very committed," Subramaniam said.