ADB: Elevated walkways on Edsa ready for use by 2021

By 2021, commuters en route to their next jeepney, bus or train rides can use elevated walkways to be built by the government in four pedestrian-heavy areas along congested Edsa, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

ADB transport specialist Shuji Kimura told a press briefing Thursday the $100-million loan for the Edsa Greenways Project was expected to be approved by the Manila-based lender’s board by the first quarter of next year.

Construction could then start before the end of 2020. By the following year, the walkways could already be partially used. Full completion would be in 2022.

Kimura said the Department of Transportation would build the elevated bridges near the existing Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit stations on Taft Avenue, Pasay City; Guadalupe, Makati City; Cubao, Quezon City; and Balintawak, Quezon City.

Kimura added these elevated walkways would benefit not only train riders but also those who rode buses and jeepneys in the said four areas through a seamless connection in between transport terminals.

ADB country director for the Philippines Kelly Bird said the 5-kilometer walkways won’t take so much space with their tall and narrow pillars. Well-lit and with elevators, the walkways would be safe and accessible to the elderly.

ADB documents noted the facilities now “are poorly designed and pedestrians are suffering from the unsafe and uncomfortable pedestrian environment.”

The project would also involve building new footbridges and replacing or widening existing ones, the ADB said.