New EDSA-Buendia footbridge to ease pedestrian traffic at bus carousel

By Noel Lontoc

WITH the easing of pandemic restrictions which is expected to invigorate business activities and increase public mobility, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is preparing for the influx of transportation on the streets of Metro Manila as well as pedestrian traffic with more people being allowed to go out of their residences under the Alert Level 2 status.

In this connection, aside from improving the management of traffic of vehicles and street signage and features, the MMDA is also initiating efforts ensure the safety of pedestrian traffic even as it unveiled another footbridge at the southbound portion of the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and Buendia intersection to provide pedestrians safe access to and from the new loading and unloading bay for the bus carousel in the area. During the inauguration of the new footbridge, MMDA chairman Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. underscored the importance of the raised pedestrian walkway which would help ease traffic in the area as well as making the EDSA bus way travel more seamless and safer for commuters. “Buendia is one of the busiest intersections in terms of pedestrian traffic and having this overpass for them to use will make their trips easy, secured, and safe” Abalos pointed out, The EDSA-Buendia Southbound pedestrian footbridge will be connected to the existing Metro Rail Transit (MRT) pedestrian overpass crossing EDSA Southbound which will serve those who are going to the Makati Central Business District and vice versa, as well as commuters coming from Bonifacio Global City.

This can be accessed from Makati Avenue or the southbound exit of the MRT Buendia Station. Street level view of the new EDSA-Buendia footbridge. (Photo: MMDA PIO/Mary Ann Tanbio)

“This is the 125th footbridge that the MMDA has built all over Metro Manila which serves a total of approximately 3 million pedestrians daily.

Construction of footbridges in Tramo, Taft, and Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City for the EDSA Bus Carousel is also already underway,” Abalos proudly announced. MRT-3 officer-in-charge Eymard Eje expressed his sincere support and gratitude to the MMDA on the inauguration of the agency’s tireless efforts to improve the lives of millions of Filipinos residing and working in the metropolis. “The Buendia footbridge would give comfort and safety to the EDSA Bus Carousel passengers,” he stressed.