New Kamuning Footbridge Construction Advances in Quezon City
Quezon City officials have announced that the construction of the new Kamuning footbridge, replacing the old structure along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) famously known as “Mount Kamuning,” is scheduled for completion by December this year. The footbridge project aims to improve pedestrian access and safety along one of the busiest thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Dizon, alongside Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and 3rd District Representative Franz Pumaren, led the groundbreaking ceremony on August 14. According to sources, the construction of the new Kamuning footbridge will officially commence this Thursday, signaling a significant upgrade to the current pedestrian infrastructure.
Inclusive Design to Replace “Mount Kamuning”
“Ngayon, it’s time to have a dedicated entrance and exit into the busway station sa Kamuning,” Dizon remarked, highlighting that the new footbridge will connect the Kamuning Busway Station to both the northbound and southbound sides of Edsa. He emphasized, “So, the target is to finish both the footbridge and the station by December. That’s our promise.”
Officials noted that the previous footbridge, nicknamed “Mount Kamuning,” had become a notorious landmark due to its steep and inaccessible design. The President himself reportedly called for its removal after witnessing the challenges it posed to commuters. “He said, ‘That’s too bad, tear it down and let’s build a new one,’” a government source said.
Mayor Belmonte expressed strong support for demolishing the old footbridge, citing its lack of inclusivity. “At the end of the day, that is not acceptable to us because it’s inconvenient, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s not inclusive. It leaves out any vulnerable sectors. And that is contrary to our vision of an inclusive mobility infrastructure program. So it has to be demolished,” she declared.
Minimal Traffic Impact During Construction
Transportation officials assured the public that the construction of the new Kamuning footbridge will have minimal effects on traffic flow. The project will be executed during early morning hours to avoid heavy vehicle congestion. “We obviously won’t do that when there are a lot of vehicles,” a DOTr representative reported.
Accessibility Features Highlighted
The new footbridge will feature significant improvements to ensure accessibility for all commuters. Secretary Dizon pointed out that the design includes two elevators and manlifts or wheelchair lifters, making it compliant with mobility standards.
“It’s not steep anymore. As our designers said, it’s fully compliant with mobility and accessibility standards. It’s wide, not steep; the steps aren’t too high and there are elevators on both sides and wheelchair lifts in the middle, so it’s really very accessible,” the DOTr chief explained.
Project Budget and Breakdown
The Department of Transportation disclosed that the total cost for the Kamuning footbridge and the rehabilitation of the Edsa Busway Station is approximately PHP 89.13 million. The funding comes from the General Appropriations Act Fiscal Year 2024 under Republic Act 11975, specifically allocated for the EDSA Busway Project.
Here is the project cost breakdown provided by officials:
- Station Rehabilitation – PHP 33,260,888.48
- Footbridge with Elevators and Manlifts – PHP 53,958,542.95
- Facilities for Engineers – PHP 1,001,533.68
- Construction Occupational Safety and Health – PHP 488,049.30
- Traffic Management Plan – PHP 420,388.16
The new Kamuning footbridge is poised to become a safer, more inclusive passageway for thousands of commuters daily, replacing the outdated “Mount Kamuning” with a modern and accessible structure.
For more news and updates on Kamuning footbridge construction, visit Filipinokami.com.
