A group of investors and businesses in Makati City have shelled out P497 million to construct an elevated pedestrian walkway inside the Ayala central business district to help the local government promote a healthy environment in the city.
On Monday, officers and members of the Makati Commercial Estate Association launched the newly built Dela Rosa Elevated Walkway extension, bringing to 1,100 meters long the pedestrian structure from Greenbelt to Makati Medical Center.
Macea has been a primary mover in the district’s development, building seven underpasses, on-grade covered sidewalks, and the Elevated Walkway.
The latest 305-meter extension from VA Rufino Street to Salcedo Street was built at a cost of P110.6 million over 20 months. This makes the Dela Rosa Elevated Walkway the country’s longest elevated pedestrian structure.
Macea, composed of all the property owners within the Makati Central Business District, also expects to invest an additional P150 million for its pedestrianization program in 2017.
“We envisioned the program as a network of tri-level pedestrian pathways composed of underground passageways, on-grade covered sidewalks, and elevated walkways,” said Macea president David Balangue.
“Ultimately, it will encourage motorists to leave their cars and join the pedestrians on short trips to the commercial center and back, which is the core objective of the pedestrianization program,” he added.
The Elevated Walkway has serviced hundreds of thousands of pedestrians since its first phase was built from the Enterprise Center in Paseo de Roxas to Greenbelt.
Today, with the elevated walkway’s connection to Ayala Center, commuters have the option to start from the Ayala Metro Railway Transit station on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and walk comfortably to Makati Medical Center, fully protected from the sun and rain.
“The walkway offers workers, residents, and transients safety, comfort, convenience and protective cover on their short trips to the commercial center and back. There are many benefits to walking, and savings on gas and the vehicle’s wear and tear. Reduced vehicular traffic in the district will also have a positive impact on the environment,” Balangue said.
The project was inaugurated in a simple ceremony led by Macea vice president architect William V. Coscolluela and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay.
MACEA will have more projects to benefit residents, workers and visitors to the country’s premier finance, business and commercial district, Balangue said.
Sidewalk enhancements for Dela Rosa and Valero streets as well as its connecting streets are under way.
An on-grade covered walkway along Valero, VA Rufino and Dela Rosa Streets near Makati Medical Center, and an above-grade pedestrian crossing at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue are also under construction.
An escalator replacement program will soon upgrade existing facilities. The installation of a wayfinding system in key areas, and the re-development of the Legazpi Village and Washington Sycip parks will also be undertaken.