Active transport

Worth waiting for by those who regularly traverse Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare for their daily commute is the EDSA Greenways project that will start in mid-2024 and is targeted for completion by 2027.

The project seeks to promote sustainable mobility options for city dwellers by connecting upgraded pedestrian networks to key train stations along 23.8-km EDSA, namely Balintawak, Cubao, Guadalupe and Taft, to enhance the overall urban environment and transport connectivity in these areas.

A total 3,064 sq. meters out of 5,657 sq. meters or 54.16 percent of property have been acquired for the project.

At present, the Department of Transportation is working on the right-of-way acquisition and relocation of utilities that would be affected by the project. The right-of-way acquisition of properties affected by the project is halfway complete.

The DOTR is also collaborating with the Department of Labor and Employment to distribute livelihood packages to at least 148 residents and vendors who will be affected by the EDSA Greenways Project.

The livelihood package consists of P30,000 worth of rice, dressmaking package and food packages as a start-up for small eateries and “negosyo” carts.

DOTr said the project will promote the use of public transportation as it will connect pedestrians and commuters to mass transit stations.

It is working on this project with the Asian Development Bank, which approved a P5.9 billion loan for the project in 2020. Total project cost was previously estimated at P8.5 billion.

The EDSA Greenways Project is part and parcel of active transport programs by the DOTr.

The department, apart from the expansion of bike lanes, seeks to establish end-of-trip cycling facilities like bike racks and public transport stops to make bike commuting more convenient for the public.

We’re glad the government is taking pro-active efforts in improving mobility not only in Metro Manila but also in other urban centers.

The government inaugurated in March the construction of 9.6 kilometers of pedestrian walkways in Intramuros.

Recently, the DOTr broke ground for the 3.2-km bike lane in Laoag and launched the 13.16-km bike lane project in Kalibo.

About 564 kms of bike lanes are currently established in Metro Cebu, Metro Manila and Metro Davao. The DOTr wants to expand the network to 2,400 kms by 2028.

Building continuous networks of sidewalks and bike lanes throughout a city enable more people to travel independently, at much lower cost, with minimal environmental impact, and with more predictable travel times.

We’re all for it.

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