Traffic to subside with opening of new Gil Puyat Ave. overpass in MCBD
Traffic in the Makati Central Business District (MCBD) is expected to ease up with the opening of the first of two new pedestrian overpasses on Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue. The roof-covered footbridge with glass railings and escalators stretches from the RCBC Plaza building to The Columns Ayala Avenue.
The project is part of the Makati Commercial Estate Association’s (MaCEA) tri-level pedestrianization program meant to ease traffic by supporting walking as the safer, more convenient, and affordable option to move around the business district.
MaCEA, represented by vice-chairman Arch. William V. Coscolluela, and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, led the inaugural ceremony for the new overpass. The overpass will benefit thousands of pedestrians and motorists who traverse this busy road day and night.
Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue is a major arterial street in Metro Manila that runs on an east-west/west-east course through the cities of Makati and Pasay, from EDSA on the east to Roxas Blvd. on the west. Formerly called Buendia, the avenue honors the late statesman who served as senator for 21 years with five terms as senate president.
MaCEA has set the second overpass for completion in April, 2018. This new covered footbridge will link the People Support building to the Makati Post Office and will be built to the same quality standards.
MaCEA is a 391-member strong association of property owners of the country’s main financial and commercial district. Aside from the new overpass project, MaCEA is undertaking the escalator modernization program in the area. It has recently completed the replacement of 11 escalators at the Legazpi Underpass, V.A. Rufino St., Paseo de Roxas and the elevated walkway entrance to Greenbelt 5. A total of 29 escalators are set for upgrades, including escalators in the 1-km. long elevated pedestrian walkway from Greenbelt to Salcedo St. near Makati Medical Center.
Motorists and pedestrians to the MCBD may have also noticed MaCEA’s installation of a new and improved wayfinding system. The new street signs are larger, use bigger fonts with reflectorized text and graphic designs on the side to represent the colors of “Make It Makati” and the MaCEA logo. They are also more visible in the dark.
“Twenty-eight new street signs have been installed in all the street corners along Ayala Avenue, from Apartment Ridge near EDSA all the way to Gil Puyat Avenue. Eventually, the new wayfinding system will cover all the street corners in the entire MCBD,” said MaCEA President David L. Balangue. “This will aid the general public in navigating through the dynamic streets and iconic landmarks of the MCBD.”
The association has also been involved in sidewalk improvements for the MCBD. Some 14,721 sqm of open sidewalks have been enhanced with new tiles and ornamental plants in Salcedo and Legazpi Villages, while 1,878 sqm walkways have been outfitted with roofs and overhead lighting in these villages.