Private firms pledge to shoulder EDSA Busway Bridges with concourse

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday inked agreements with three private partners for the construction of EDSA Busway Bridges, each with a concourse.

In an emailed statement, the DOTr said agreements were made with SM Prime Holdings., D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc., and Double Dragon Properties Corp. for them to put up the bridges in select locations.

Under the agreement, the private partners will shoulder the construction of the busway bridges with concourse at the SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, President D. Macapagal Boulevard in Aseana City, and at EDSA near the corner of President D. Macapagal Avenue.

"As part of our commitment, we will ensure that the overhead bridges and passenger 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 was quoted as saying.

His sentiment was echoed by D.M. Wenceslao president and chief executive officer Delfin Angelo Wenceslao and Double Dragon assistant to the president Atty. Jay Rashid Ugalingan.

The busway bridges will have a concierge, ticketing booths, turnstiles for the automatic fare collection system (AFCS), as well as ramps and elevators to provide accessibility.

Construction for the projects is set to run from six to eight months, and estimated to start within the next two to three months once the detailed engineering design is finalized and necessary permits are secured.

The government started operating the EDSA Busway system in July, to complement the operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and its bus augmentation program amid public transportation restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"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," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

"‘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," he added.—LDF, GMA News