GROUNDBREAKING. The virtual groundbreaking of the three bridges with concourse at three iconic SM malls along the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) for the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) busway system. Once completed, the project aims to provide passengers of the EDSA Busway and pedestrians with a safe, accessible, and convenient experience. (Photo courtesy of DOTr)
MANILA – Passengers of the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) Busway system will soon enjoy better service with the construction of three bridges with concourses made possible by a partnership between the government and the private sector.
Based on the proposal of Green EDSA Movement chair Eduardo Yap, the structures —located at SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, and SM Mega Mall— aim to provide “safe, accessible, convenient, and persons with disabilities (PWD)-friendly” walkways for commuters and those crossing EDSA from one side to another.
The bridges will feature “state-of-the-art” architecture with a concierge, ticketing booths, turnstiles for the automated fare collection system, and ramps and elevators for ease of accessibility.
During the virtual groundbreaking of the project on Tuesday, Yap said the completion of the project will not only provide commuters with a “higher level” of commuting experience but also create “iconic” public infrastructure “that blends functionality, aesthetics, and green principles.”
“This new bus system in EDSA and elsewhere in the National Capital Region (NCR) is transformational as well as historic. After many decades of chaotic public transportation, order and system have been restored,” Yap said.
He added the project will be constructed “at no cost to the government” through donations from SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI).
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade underscored the order and convenience brought by the EDSA Busway to commuters, adding the bridges with concourse will add even more to the experience.
“Nagkaroon ng order, nagkaroon ng sistema, nagkaroon ng dagdag convenience, at nagkaroon ng dagdag komportable (This brought order, a system, added convenience, and added comfort),” Tugade said.
DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark Steven Pastor said the EDSA Busway will remain as a permanent fixture on EDSA even after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Kung kaya't tuloy-tuloy po ang ating mga i-introduce na mga development at upgrades dito sa EDSA Busway (That’s why we’re continuously introducing developments and upgrades at the EDSA Busway),” Pastor said.
According to the DOTr’s briefer on the project, two more bridges with concourse are expected to begin construction for the EDSA Busway.
These are at President Macapagal Boulevard at Aseana City in Parañaque City —through a donation from DM Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. (DMWAI)— and at EDSA near the corner of President D. Macapagal Avenue through a donation from Double Dragon Properties, Inc.
“The target duration of the bridge with concourse construction is eight months after issuance of the building permits and access to the site for each of the locations. This is subject to change depending on the actual site investigation for each of the sites,” the briefer read.
Following its establishment, the EDSA Busway has shortened travel time for commuters from Monumento to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and vice versa to about an hour, from the previous three hours.
Earlier, Tugade reported that vehicular flow on EDSA has improved through the government traffic-control measures and the EDSA Busway. (PNA)
