"Mt. Kamuning" to be replaced by a new PHP 89 million footbridge

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) officially broke ground today on a new footbridge project that will replace the existing structure near EDSA-Kamuning. The new footbridge is designed to provide a safer and more accessible crossing for commuters, replacing the “Mt. Kamuning” footbridge.

Officially named the Scout Borromeo–NIA South Road Footbridge, this steel pedestrian footbridge spans EDSA in Quezon City. It was constructed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in 2018, but became infamous for its considerable height and steepness, earning it the popular nickname “Mt. Kamuning.”

“Unang una, kita nyo naman yung disenyo dito, hindi na sya matarik. At sabi nga ng ating mga designers, fully-compliant sya [new bridge] mobility and accessibility standards. Malapad, hindi matarik, hindi masyado matataas yung [pagitan] ng mga steps, at merong elevator on both sides [of EDSA] at merong wheelchair lifts sa gitna, para talagang very accessible sya,” said Transportation Secretary, Vince Dizon.

(First and foremost, you can see the design here; it’s no longer steep. Our designers said that the new bridge is 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 of EDSA and wheelchair lifts in the middle, so it’s truly very accessible.)

The Kamuning Footbridge and Busway Station Rehabilitation project, which is part of the EDSA Busway Project, has been granted an Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of PHP 89,129,402.57. This funding comes from the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2024.

The project’s final awarded price is PHP 87,326,815.10. The detailed breakdown of the budget reveals the scale of the different components involved in the rehabilitation and construction. A significant portion is allocated to the new footbridge with elevators and manlifts, costing PHP 53.9 million, while the station’s rehabilitation is budgeted at PHP 33.2 million. The remaining funds are designated for project management, safety, and traffic planning.