Soon-to-rise: EDSA Busway bridges with concourse

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) that would result in the creation of EDSA Busway bridges with concourse has been forged.

To put up the massive project at no cost to the government, the MOA was signed between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and private firms (who will donate the said structure) SM Prime Holdings, DM Wesceslao and Associates Incorporated, and Double Dragon Properties Corporation.

According to the DOTr, the proposed public structures are "essential components of the new EDSA Busway to further provide safer, more convenient, and PWD (Persons with Disabilities)-friendly walkways for the riding public using the EDSA Busway stations, and for pedestrians crossing EDSA from one side to the other.”

Busway Advocate Eduardo Yap said during the event that the the EDSA Busway structures will have a state-of-the-art architecture with concierge, ticketing booths, and turnstiles for the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) as well as  ramps and elevators, making them accessible to for PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade expressed gratitude to the government and private sector partners who greatly contributed to the project's realization.

“Napakaganda ‘ho ng proyekto. With the state-of-the art facility of the EDSA Busway Bridge and Concourse, we will be catering world-class service to the public. ‘Laking ginhawa ‘ho nito sa mga kababayan natin, lalo na sa mga senior citizen, mga may kapansanan, at buntis. Hindi na ‘ho sila mahihirapan mag-akyat-baba sa paggamit ng busway. Malaking bagay din ‘ho ito para siguruhin na ligtas silang makatatawid at makasasakay,” Tugade said.

“With your help and support, our goal of providing safe, reliable, seamless, and efficient travel for the riding public will further continue. Higit sa lahat, we are making history by changing the system of our public transportation for the better. This will be our legacy for generations to come,” he added.

Likewise, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim noted the possible improvements pertaining to travel experience along the EDSA.

"We believe that the EDSA Busway Bridge and Concourse is crucial for a more seamless EDSA Busway operation. With the construction of the Busway Bridge, we ought to provide an even better experience for commuters with Automated Fare Collection System, PWD ramps, and elevators. We also see that this will encourage increased ridership and commuter satisfaction upon its completion in the coming months on the five (5) target locations."

These EDSA Busway bridges with concourse will be placed at the following locations:  

• SM Mall of Asia,
• SM North EDSA,
• SM Megamall,
• President D. Macapagal Boulevard in Aseana City, and
• EDSA near the corner of President D. Macapagal Avenue.

The private sector partners, in turn, have expressed their full support to the project.

"We, at SM, are delighted to partner with the government in improving the daily commute of every Filipino. We always stand ready to support initiatives that seek to uplift the lives of the community. As part of our commitment, we will ensure that the overhead bridges and pasenger concourses are properly secured and well-maintained for the safety and convenience of all passengers and pedestrians. All these, we will undertake at no additional cost to the government," SM Prime Holdings Inc. President Jeffrey Lim said.

"We thank Secretary Tugade, [Secretary> Villar, and General Lim and all the other cabinet members for all your trailblazing efforts in allowing and partnering with the private sector to create urban mobility infrastructure at no cost to government," DM Wenceslao and Associates President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Delfin Angelo Wenceslao shared.

"We applaud our government agencies for introducing the EDSA Busway project - a highly promising mass transport system, which will hasten the transformation of EDSA into a commuter-friendly thoroughfare,” Double Dragon Properties Corporation Assistant to the President Atty. Jay Rashid Ugalingan was quoted as saying.

The projected start of the construction will be within the next 2 to 3 months, as the detailed engineering design (DED) is still being finalized and necessary permits are still being secured. Once started, the completion estimated to be after 6-8 months, Yap said.

Photos from Department of Transportation Facebook Page

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