Construction for EDSA Busway Concourse project begins  

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) officially kicked off the start of the EDSA Busway Concourse project via a virtual groundbreaking ceremony. The said project will consist of three concourses, which are set to rise up in key locations along the said thoroughfare. This includes one at SM Megamall, one at the SM Mall of Asia, and another at SM North EDSA. 

A rendering of one of the EDSA Concourse structures

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade stated that these facilities will be modern, and will change the commuting experience on EDSA for the better. Of note, the said concourses are part of what Tugade calls “EDSA Transformation.” Under this, the secretary included the MRT-3's rehabilitation project, bike lanes, EDSA Greenways, and the Metro Manila Subway.  

Regarding the EDSA Busway, it will consist of bridges that will be built on “state-of-the-art" architecture. The said structure will be host to numerous features including ramps and elevators for easier access, turnstiles for fare collection, a concierge, as well as ticketing booths.

Another 3D render of the upcoming infrastructure project from another viewpoint 

The EDSA Movement chairman, Eduardo Yap, added that with these features, the concourses will be safe and easily accessible by everyone, including persons with disabilities (PWD). Furthermore, the said structures will also create some sort of “iconic public infrastructure”, something that will “blend functionality, aesthetics, and green principles.” Yap was also the one who proposed the said project. 

Another interesting point about the EDSA Busway Concourse project is that the government won’t be spending any monetary resources on it. This is thanks to a public-private partnership with SM Prime Holding, Inc., whose donations will fund the construction of the three structures.  

A rendered view of the bus concourse interior

As for the target completion date, nothing is set in stone yet. According to the briefer for the said project, the construction of the concourses themselves will take eight months after the necessary permits are issued. Once completed, these will shorten travel time for commuters traveling to and from Monumento to the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to just an hour.  

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