EDSA busway rehab to start this year

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will start this year the rehabilitation of the EDSA busway, covering the North Avenue, Monumento, Bagong Barrio and Guadalupe stations.

According to a briefer from the DOTr, Phase 1 of the rehabilitation project will take one year to be finished – three months for the design phase and nine months for the build phase.

The rehabilitation aims to widen and replace the waiting sheds as well as install a post for guards and law enforcers, vertical louvers, signages and tactile floor tiles that will serve as guide for visually impaired commuters.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Phase 1 of the project would cost DOTr P212 million to accomplish.

Dizon said Phase 2 of the rehabilitation, would include the construction of three new stations, including those in Cubao in Quezon City and at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

He said there is a need for the busway to be modernized, with around 250,000 commuters taking the bus each day and in line with President Marcos’ declaration to make transportation infrastructure “commuter-centric.”

On Thursday, Dizon and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman inspected the newly opened North Avenue station, which features a covered footbridge, elevator, escalator and guides for the visually impaired.