DOTr, SM start construction of EDSA Busway concourses

The construction of three concourses or passenger access footbridges to the EDSA Busway began on Tuesday as SM Prime Holdings Inc. and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) broke ground for the project.

In a statement, the DOTr said three “state-of-the-art” concourses connecting SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia to the Edsa Busway will be constructed by SM Prime.

The target completion of the concourses is on July 31, 2024.

The DOTr said SM Prime will completely shoulder the funding for the design and construction of the concourses.

Officials of SM Prime and the DOTr, led by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the first concourse located in SM North Edsa.

"This concourse leading to the busway should be counted as a (corporate social responsibility) CSR initiative that addresses one of DOTr's goals—accessibility," said Bautista.

"We will be establishing a convenient access to the EDSA Busway - right in the middle of overlapping transport infrastructure projects," added the DOTr chief.

The construction of the concourses is a major component of the Edsa Busway. 

The DOTr said the concourses will feature state-of-the-art architecture with a concierge, ticketing booth, and turnstiles for the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS). 

It added that ramps and elevators will also be available to provide accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women.—RF, GMA Integrated News