DOTr procures 36,000 concrete barriers for EDSA Busway

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Saturday it has procured more than 30,000 concrete barriers to put up a dedicated lane for buses on Metro Manila's busiest thoroughfare EDSA.

In a statement, the DOTr said the EDSA Busway project is taking form with the scheduled delivery of 9,000 concrete barriers starting July 18 to 22.

DOTr said it has procured a total 36,000 concrete barriers that will be set up to segregate the bus lanes located on the innermost pathways on EDSA, from the other roadway parts of the highway.

The other 27,000 concrete barriers will be delivered in three parts or 9,000 units each every 15 days, after the initial delivery of 9,000 units finished on July 22.

Moreover, the DOTr  said it was able to save up to P16.2 million as result of "transparent and efficient procurement process."

Each barrier costs P4,300, compared to the P4,750-per-piece approved budget for the contract of the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group, based on the initial quotations that contractors had submitted.

Aside from this, the DOTr was also able to cut down the expected delivery period from 155 down to 72 days.

A joint project of the DOTr and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the EDSA Busway was designed to allow faster travel time for commuters.

“Pinabilis natin ‘yung delivery ng mga concrete barriers sapagkat nagsimula na ‘ho tayo ng interim operations. Kinakailangan nating siguraduhin na ligtas at maayos ang ating busway para sa mga commuter. Ayaw nating biguin ang ating mga kababayan lalo ngayon na mas dumarami ang nakikinabang sa benepisyo nito,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, meanwhile, said the concrete barriers will be installed along EDSA immediately upon delivery.

“As per the directive of Secretary Tugade, we will fast-track the completion of the EDSA Busway together with other concerned agencies. The delivery of barriers will be along EDSA already so mailalagay na rin natin ang mga ito upon receipt,” Pastor said.

Interim operations of the EDSA Busway started on July 1. At least 550 bus units were authorized to use the dedicated lane.

The EDSA Busway aims to significantly cut travel time from Monumento, Caloocan to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) from the usual two to three hours to just 45 minutes to one hour. —LBG, GMA News