Groundbreaking ceremony of the Edsa Busway Concourse in Quezon City on February 13, 2024. (Photo from the MMDA Facebook account)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the soon-to-be-constructed Edsa Busway Concourse in Quezon City.
The concourse project, which will be constructed at SM North Edsa, is in partnership with SM Prime Holdings.
“This concourse leading to the busway should be counted as a (corporate social responsibility) CSR initiative that addresses one of DOTr’s goals—accessibility,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said during the ceremony.
“We will be establishing convenient access to the Edsa Busway – right in the middle of overlapping transport infrastructure projects,” he added.
The project’s target completion date is July 31, 2024.
The DOTr said it cannot disclose the exact project cost as the funding for the design and construction of the concourse will be shouldered solely by SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
Similar structures will be constructed at SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia.
Real estate developer and construction company, D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc., will also construct a concourse at the ASEANA Edsa Busway Station, the DOTr said.
Another real estate company, Double Dragon, will also establish one at Macapagal Edsa Busway Station, it added.
According to the DOTr, the concourses will help facilitate movement between users and connect them to business, commercial, leisure, and other destinations.
Among the features of the facility are a concierge, a ticketing booth, and turnstiles for the Automatic Fare Collection System.
The DOTr said it will also have ramps and elevators for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women.
“The EDSA Busway Bridge with Concourse aims to provide safe, accessible, convenient, and PWD-friendly walkways for commuters and pedestrians approaching the EDSA Busway stations and crossing EDSA from one side to another,” the DOTr said.
Bautista said that the DOTr has also partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the local government of Quezon City for the project.