If work, live or travelled to Ortigas Center lately, you’ve probably noticed the construction activity near SM Megamall and the EDSA Busway station. The EDSA–Ortigas Busway Footbridge is a major infrastructure project designed to connect the EDSA Busway Ortigas Station directly to SM Megamall via an elevated, covered pedestrian link to make commuting safer, easier, and more efficient for the tens of thousands who pass through this busy district every day.

Why the Footbridge Matters

For pedestrians and commuters, the current setup can be chaotic. Crowded sidewalks, fast-moving buses, and the absence of convenient crossings make the EDSA–Ortigas intersection one of the more stressful parts of a daily commute. This new footbridge is meant to fix that. For anyone who regularly uses the EDSA Busway or shops and works around Ortigas, this is going to be a game-changer.

Expect some delays in travel

Of course, any major construction project comes with a cost—especially for motorists. Since construction began in January 2025, traffic along EDSA, particularly around the Ortigas junction, has gotten heavier. Drivers are now dealing with:

• Lane reductions and rerouting
• Longer wait times at traffic lights
• Bottlenecks near SM Megamall and Guadix Drive

While city traffic authorities have recommended using alternative routes like Shaw Boulevard and Pioneer Street, congestion remains a daily struggle for those heading through Ortigas during rush hours. Bottom line: Plan your trips ahead, and if you can, avoid the area during peak times.

What You Can Do Now

Whether you’re a commuter, a driver, or a weekend shopper, here are some tips to help you get through the construction period:

• Drivers: Avoid Ortigas–EDSA during peak times. Use Waze or Google Maps to monitor traffic and explore alternate routes like C5 or Shaw Blvd.
• Commuters: Stick to the MRT footbridge or designated crosswalks. Be extra cautious near construction zones, especially during early mornings or after dark.
• Everyone: Follow updates from MMDA, Ortigas Center, and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to stay informed on progress and advisories.

Infrastructure development is never easy—especially in a city as complex and congested as Metro Manila. But projects like the EDSA–Ortigas footbridge are necessary steps toward a more accessible and commuter-friendly future. So while the traffic is frustrating now, remember: Ortigas is building not just bridges, but a better city experience for everyone.

Tune Hotels in Ortigas, a Malaysian-owned chain of hotels, has just been launched. The hotel has 126 double rooms and 52 twin rooms. Tune Hotel currently operates 41 establishments worldwide with 35 in the Asean region of which 8 is in the Philippines.

Robinsons Land Corporation, during the first-quarter for the fiscal year 2014, had a 13.2% decline in net income due to the effects of Typhoon Yolanda on its properties, as well as a fire that hit Robinsons Galleria late last year.

The Ortigas family’s OCLP Holdings is considering raising about P6 billion in long-term debt this year to finance ongoing expansion programs and refinance loans. Joselito Santos, OCLP Holdings’ general manager for real estate, said in a briefing Monday that the fresh funds would help support plans to sustain growth in revenues, which he said may hit about P5 billion next year.

San Miguel Corporation has invested about P200 million to enter the fast-growing e-commerce industry. Its new subsidiary Autosweep Post Corporation has launched its flagship product, the Sweep card, a contactless reloadable cash card that can be used to pay for goods and services and even toll fees.

ORTIGAS Central Business District (CBD) will soon boast of a mixed-use residential and commercial enclave similar to other booming business centers in the metropolis.

GSIS is selling the PhilComCen building in Ortigas for P771.5 million to Filinvest Land Inc.

The JICA is to conduct a full feasibility study on a planned mass transport system that will effectively link the central business districts of Makati, Ortigas, Bonifacio Global City and Newport City. BCDA is in talks with the Department of Transportation and Communications about the project and is set to meet with JICA within the month.

The Library, Malate’s iconic bar and restaurant, is expanding with the opening of The Library in Metrowalk Commercial in Ortigas tomorrow, Jan. 10. The new branch offers the same awesome entertainment The Library is known for according to The Library founder and creative director Andrew de Real.

MARCO Polo Ortigas Manila has named Melanie Domingo, who has almost 14 years of HR experience, as director of Human Resources. Ms. Domingo was the director of Human Resources for Oakwood Premier Manila from August 2010 to May 2013. She started her career at the Peninsula Manila before working overseas in Millenium Hotel and InterContinental Hotel both in Doha, Qatar.