DPWH, DOTr, MMDA prepare for EDSA rehab

The Department of Public Works and Highways, together with Metro Manila Development Authority and Department of Transportation, are rushing preparations for the implementation of the long-anticipated EDSA Rehabilitation Project. 

According to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, the rehabilitation aims to lessen the ongoing issue with the repeated re-blocking of EDSA over the years as frequent repairs or patchwork are being done on its damaged sections. These are usually temporary fixes done on weekends, which often cause traffic disruptions.

“Over the years, re-blocking na po tayo ng re-blocking because many of the existing pavements ay mahina na at bumabagsak. So sabi nga ng pangulo, ‘I think we have do it once and for all’ para maiwasan natin re-blocking every weekend na naka-istorbo sa ating traffic. Pangalawa, kapag re-blocking tayo ng re-blocking, it will be a perpetual activity. Hindi na natin maiwasan yan,” he said.

The rehabilitation will begin with preparatory works by the evening of June 13. This means they won’t start digging or doing heavy construction work yet. Instead, during this initial phase, they will mark or identify the specific sections of the road that need to be repaired or reconstructed.  After about two weeks, the agency will start excavations or changing the pavement. 

However, MMDA Secretary Romando Artes warned the public that traffic obstruction and slowdown are expected during the preparatory works, which involve the use of equipment. Hence, the implementation of traffic management plans will start even during mobilization and the two-week preparatory works.

Bonoan stated that they would follow a specific rehabilitation scheme, with the busway being the first area to undergo initial construction activities.

The DPWH chief underscored that the existing concrete barriers along the EDSA busway will be gradually repositioned to allow space for construction. Despite the adjustments, the busway will remain exclusive to public buses by installing temporary barriers to maintain its dedicated use during the rehabilitation.

While some delays are expected due to the ASEAN meetings in the Philippines, the DPWH has ultimately set a target completion year of 2027. Construction is expected to reach significant progress by 2026. With these, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon clarified that the country’s major thoroughfare will not be closed as it will undergo lane-by-lane construction only. 

Meanwhile, work on the outermost lanes of EDSA will be scheduled later in the process, as these areas contain critical utility lines. Thus, the DPWH coordinates with utility providers to ensure their lines are permanently laid out before the final pavement is installed. 

As the government prepares to kick off the massive EDSA rebuilding project, MMDA, DOTr, and other transport agencies have laid out a comprehensive traffic management plan designed to ease congestion and provide reliable alternatives for commuters and motorists as follows: 

Dizon stated that they will waive toll fees on specific segments of Skyway Stage 3, especially for vehicles that will be diverted from EDSA. This is to take effect by July or August, once construction activities intensify. 

DOTr will deploy an additional 100 buses along the EDSA busway to provide efficient commuting alternatives during the rehabilitation. This aims to encourage private vehicle users to shift to public transport.

The expansion of MRT-3’s capacity is also underway. From the current 20 trains, DOTr is working to add more four-car train sets in the coming months to accommodate more passengers and reduce waiting times.

To improve station efficiency, the agency will also remove x-ray scanners at all MRT-3 stations. Currently piloted at Taft Avenue and North Avenue, the removal will soon be rolled out system-wide to speed up passenger entry and shorten queues.

A 24-hour odd-even traffic scheme for private vehicles will be implemented exclusively on EDSA once the rehabilitation begins. The scheme aims to cut down vehicle volume by 40% and will operate as follows:

• Plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) will be prohibited on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Plates ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) will be prohibited on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• All vehicles will be allowed on Sundays.

Artes clarified that the proposed odd-even scheme only applies to EDSA.

The MMDA will conduct a dry run starting June 16. During this time, no penalties will be imposed; only notices will be given to violators to help the public adjust to the scheme. TNVS units are exempted from the policy.

Meanwhile, trucks and provincial buses will also face limited access to EDSA starting June 16. Only vehicles transporting perishable goods, garbage and aviation fuel will be allowed to pass, and only during a designated window between 10 PM to 5 AM. 

Bike lane separators will be removed from EDSA before June 13 to make room for lane realignments. The MMDA will coordinate with cycling and motorcycle groups to discuss the creation of exclusive motorcycle lanes on the rightmost part of the highway. These vehicles will soon be barred from using underpasses and overpasses, which will remain structurally unaffected by the EDSA rehabilitation.

He added the agency will deploy daily enforcement teams along Mabuhay Lanes and alternative routes. These areas will be strictly monitored to ensure obstruction-free travel