BY IRIS GONZALES – JULY 1, 2022
Imagine reaching the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay from Quezon City or elsewhere, in a breeze.
Visitors to the 67-hectare shopping, leisure, commercial and residential complex, will no longer have to endure rush-hour traffic along EDSA from the northern part of Metro Manila.
This is thanks to a soon-to-operate integrated monorail system connecting the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue to J. W. Diokno Boulevard.
The 1.89-kilometer transit monorail system aims to provide seamless connectivity to decongest and reduce travel time in the area.
Also part of the project is an EDSA-Tramo Flyover Extension, which would likewise benefit motorists going to the SM Mall of Asia complex.
Indeed, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the project will be integrated and will be interoperable with several modes of transport, including LRT-1, MRT-3, EDSA Busway, and EDSA Greenways.
According to the blueprint, the monorail will end at the famed SM Mall of Asia globe in the heart of the complex, which in turn, would be seamlessly connected to the rest of the sprawling estate through walkways.
This is especially good news to visitors and stakeholders alike because SM Mall of Asia would be even more connected than ever before to the rest of the Metro.
The DOTr and the Pasay City government signed the agreement on the project in September last year and its completion is expected in a few years’ time.
All roads lead to the complex
With this integrated project, for sure, it is expected that all roads will lead to the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay, making the mixed-use urban estate even more viable than before.
As we all know, SM Mall of Asia, the biggest shopping mall in Asia, has become an iconic landmark in the country with its famed hulking globe right in the middle of the complex. Located at Bay City in Pasay with the mall as its anchor, SM Mall of Asia, however, is more than a shopping district.
It is an integrated shopping, lifestyle, leisure and business hub which attracts 400,000 to 1,000,000 people every day. And this number exponentially grows when there are major events and conventions, and does not yet include the people who call the Mall of Asia Complex their home.
Its attractions include the mall itself with its state-of-the art cinemas, Olympic-sized skating rink and a plethora of dining options; the Mall of Asia Arena, the SMX Convention Center, the IKEA, Conrad Hotel Manila, the ultra-modern E-com Offices and many more.
Investment hotspot
Within the complex itself are offices and residential developments of SM Development Corp., the SM Group’s residential arm.
To date, SMDC has about four completed residential developments (Sea Residences, Shell Residences, Shore Residences and S Residences) which are now home to thriving communities, and a couple of developments which are being constructed.
These developments are sure to appreciate in land values even more with the addition of the integrated monorail and extension of the EDSA-Tramo Flyover.
Land values appreciate along with increased accessibility, connectivity and economic activities in a community.
For sure, the development will also accelerate economic activities in the area as the monorail system will produce job opportunities for Filipinos from its construction phase up to its operation.
Furthermore, the monorail system will enhance access to employment in central business districts and commerce.
It would also attract foreign investors who believe in better and integrated transport systems.
With the monorail resulting in cost savings for commuters, it would free up the public’s spending capacity which could otherwise be used to increase household spending and other investments.
Sustainable
In terms of sustainability, the monorail system will address the traffic congestion in Metro Manila as it will serve as a central platform providing access to other railway systems in the Metro. It will clearly contribute to efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Greater connectivity
In all, the monorail system will provide greater connectivity to everything that actually matters.
Health and wellbeing of the public will improve, alongside a reliable, safe and stress-free commute.
This is all happening because Filipinos, for sure, deserve no less.