Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is reviving plans to construct elevated walkways and bikeways on some portions of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
In a briefing on Tuesday, MMDA chief Don Artes said the plan was already presented during a budget call with the Department of Budget and Management.
He noted that the potential project received the backing of Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who suggested launching a pilot run next year.
“Ako ang nag-beg off dahil gusto ko muna sana matapos ‘yung study dahil baka bibigyan kami ng pondo, tapos hindi pala namin kayang i-implement,” he said.
[Translation: I was the one who begged off since I wanted to finish the study first because we might be given funding, but then we won’t be able to implement it.]
The project is being targeted to cover Guadalupe to Cubao, Artes said.
“Isa sa malaking balakid ay ‘yung utilities sa ilalim ng sidewalk dahil jan ilalagay ang poste,” he added.
[Translation: One of the major obstacles is the utilities under sidewalks because that’s where the poles will be placed.]
The plan has long been floated amid worsening traffic along EDSA. In 2019, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stressed the need to establish elevated walkways and bike lanes to ease the crowding along the major thoroughfare.
Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the plan again resurfaced but was not given priority as the government was more focused on its battle against the disease.
