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Government is lining up several measures to address problems resulting from the upcoming rehabilitation of EDSA
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Preparatory works for the EDSA Rebuild Project will start on June 13 while official commencement of works may start two weeks after
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The entire project will be completed in 2027
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Starting June 16, an odd-even scheme will be implemented exclusively along EDSA
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Also starting June 16, trucks carrying perishable goods and aviation fuel, and garbage trucks will be prohibited from traversing EDSA
The government is implementing several measures to minimize impact of the EDSA rehabilitation that will start mid-June and completed in 2027. These include an odd-even scheme and toll-free use for certain segments of Skyway Stage 3.
Preparatory works for the EDSA Rebuild Project will start on June 13 while official commencement of works may start two weeks after, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said during a joint press briefing with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vivencio Dizon and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Romando Artes on May 26.
Starting June 16, an odd-even scheme will be implemented exclusively along EDSA, Artes said.
Plate numbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 will be banned every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while plate numbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 will not be allowed every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. There will be no restrictions during Sunday.
Outside EDSA, existing traffic schemes will still be enforced.
A dry run for about a month will be implemented, where violators will be given a ticket but not penalized.
With the odd-even scheme, Artes said they expect a 40% reduction in vehicles passing EDSA.
Also on June 16, provincial buses, as well as trucks carrying perishable goods and aviation fuel, and garbage trucks—currently exempt from the total truck ban along the thoroughfare—will be prohibited from traversing EDSA.
Artes noted the rehabilitation will narrow the available lanes, thus, the ban on heavy/big vehicles.
Initially, the odd-even scheme and ban on trucks (carrying perishable goods, garbage, and aviation fuel) will be implemented 24/7 but will later be adjusted to allow for a window from 10pm or 11pm to 5am, Artes said.
To help divert traffic once rehabilitation works are on full blast, Dizon said select segments of Skyway Stage 3 that will be used as a detour will be toll free.
In a separate statement, DOTr said it is working closely with the Toll Regulatory Board to identify viable measures that will mitigate the projected revenue loss of Skyway Stage 3 operator San Miguel Corp. (SMC) due to the planned toll holiday.
“We understand that this temporary arrangement might result in loss of income to SMC, the operator of Skyway. In response, the DOTr and TRB are exploring options to grant SMC some reprieve, including possible extension of their concession agreement with the government,” the department stated.
“The DOTr looks forward to this bayanihan opportunity with the private sector, to somehow ease the burden of motorists and passengers while we are continuously making EDSA better, safer and more convenient for everyone,” it added.
For MMDA’s part, Artes said they are requested to manage the traffic on the ramps to and from the expressway.
Aside from using the Skyway, Artes said they will also provide alternate routes. To ensure such routes will not get congested, Artes said they will also soon implement a program to remove obstructions along these roads regularly.
By June 13, bike lane separators along EDSA will be removed so the lane can be shared. Artes said they will also coordinate with stakeholders and the motorcycle because motorcycle and bicycle riders will also be prohibited from using the underpass and overpass along EDSA.
On the part of DOTr, Dizon said they plan to add 100 more buses to service the bus lane along EDSA.
Since only two buses at a time will be allowed at the loading/unloading areas during the rehabilitation, a waiting time limit of 30 seconds will be imposed.
Dizon said they are also studying adding more trains at Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) in the coming months. DOTr is fast-tracking the removal of x-ray machines at MRT-3 stations to ease queuing of passengers. As replacement, more K-9 units and CCTV cameras are being deployed.
Bonoan said EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s main thoroughfares, has “outlived its design capacity” and the structural design of its pavement. Instead of repeated re-blocking works, Bonoan said the total rebuild of EDSA will entail replacing the pavement and using the latest technologies on concrete mix, as well as laying a thicker asphalt on top to ensure a smoother drive for motorists.
To fast-track the rehabilitation, Bonoan said they will employ several contractors at the same time.
The busway will be prioritized and is aimed for completion within the year. The busway will continue operating during the rehabilitation, and will only be temporarily moved by a lane during the rehabilitation.
Since the country will host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in early 2026, Bonoan said they will prioritize sections from Pasay to Guadalupe where summit venues are located. During the ASEAN Summit, they will work on Balintawak to Caloocan sections since this will not affect traffic at the Summit venues.
The outer lane of EDSA will be the last to be rehabilitated because this is where utility lines are situated.
Bonoan said they are coordinating with utility companies so they can re-install their utility lines during the rehabilitation.
Moreover, drainage structures will be fixed to prevent flooding while pedestrian lanes will be improved during the rehabilitation project.
