The Department of Transportation signed Monday a memorandum of agreement with its private partners for the construction of bridges with concourse on the EDSA Busway that will benefit commuters and pedestrians soon.
The DOTr and the Metro Manila Development Authority led the signing ceremony with SM Prime Holdings, D.M. Wesceslao and Associates Inc., and Double Dragon Properties Corp. who will donate the structures for the EDSA Busway bridge with concourse project.
According to the DOTr, this aims to provide safer, more convenient, and PWD-friendly walkways for the riding public using the EDSA Busway stations as well as pedestrians crossing EDSA.
Busway Advocate Eduardo Yap said the project will have a state-of-the-art architecture with a concierge, ticketing booths, and turnstiles for the automatic fare collection system while ramps and elevators will also be available to provide accessibility for PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade emphasized the benefits of the facilities which he said would cater a "world-class service" to the riding public.
"Malaking ginhawa ito sa mga kababayan natin lalo na sa mga senior citizens, mga may kapansanan, at buntis. Hindi na sila mahihirapan mag-akyat-baba sa paggamit ng busway. Malaking bagay ito para siguruhin na ligtas silang makatatawid at makasasakay," Tugade said.
"With your (private partners) help and support, our goal of providing safe, reliable, seamless, and efficient travel for the riding public will further continue. We are making history by changing the system of our public transportation for the better," the DOTr chief added.
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the project will significantly improve the travel experience of passengers on the country’s main thoroughfare, and will also increase the ridership and commuter satisfaction upon its completion.
The EDSA Busway bridges with concourse will be strategically located in five target areas – 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 Ave.
The construction is expected to start within the next two to three months once the detailed engineering design is finalized and necessary permits are secured, the DOTr said. Construction time is estimated to run from six to eight months.