EDSA rehabilitation: Free skyway toll, odd-even scheme, and other things you need to know
The Department of Public Works and Highways, together with the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Transportation, has confirmed ongoing preparations and partial implementation of the long-anticipated EDSA Rehabilitation Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at reviving one of Metro Manila's most congested and deteriorated thoroughfares.
According to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, the rehabilitation aims to lessen the ongoing issue with the repeated reblocking 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, reblocking na po tayo ng reblocking 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 reblocking every weekend na naka-istorbo sa ating traffic. Pangalawa, kapag reblocking tayo ng reblocking, it will be a perpetual activity. Hindi na natin maiwasan yan," he said during a press conference on Monday, May 26.
He added, "We will change the pavement. Babaguhin po natin ang pavement ng EDSA to a new pavement. In other words, bubungkalin po natin ang existing pavements sa EDSA, papalitan po natin ng bago na matibay na pavement."
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.
Target to complete by 2027
To minimize traffic inconvenience, 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.
"Unahin po namin ang busway. Yung mga barriers na nakikita niyo dyan ay iuurong po namin ng unti yan para to give way sa construction space nang kaunti. Then maglalagay din po kami ng temporary barriers para naman maging exclusive pa rin ang busway," he explained, adding that they will deploy several contractors simultaneously to work on different sections of the highway "to minimize delays and reduce long-term traffic disruption."
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, DOT Secretary Vince Dizon clarified that the country's major thoroughfare will not be closed as it will undergo lane-by-lane construction only.
"Technically, mababawasan lang ng isang lane kumpara sa nararanasan natin ngayon," Dizon said. "The busway will remain, and it will be dedicated. Iuurong lang siya initially."
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.
Traffic management measures
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:
Free Skyway Stage 3 toll
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.
"Yung segment lang kung saan idedetour yung mga sasakyan na hindi na nila kailangan dumaan ng EDSA, aakyat nalang sila sa skyways. Ifafinalize natin yan in the coming weeks or months pero kapag nagsimula na yung kasagsagan ng construction, maybe sometime in July or August ayan maglilibre na tayo ng mga toll," Dizon explained.
Skyway Stage 3 extends from Buendia, Makati to Balintawak, Quezon City, connecting to NLEX.
Additional buses, MRT upgrades
The transport department 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.
"Mas dadagdagan ang mga bus para imbis na magsasakyan, eh magbabus way nalang," Dizon shared.
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 completely 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.
Odd-even scheme
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. "Again sa mga roads, aside from EDSA, kung ano po yung number coding scheme sa ngayon, yun pa rin po ang maggogovern."
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. To minimize disruption, only vehicles transporting perishable goods, garbage, and aviation fuel will be allowed to pass, and only during a designated window between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
"Kasi mas kikipot yung mga lanes dahil nga po sa adjustment, dahil yung construction area po ay mahigit isang lane ang masasakop. Kaya mag-aadjust po talaga kami ng lane para sa mga sasakyan na magiging mas masikip. Kung dadaanan pa ito ng mas malaking vehicles, mas sisikip at babagal yung daloy ng traffic," the chief explained.
Changes to bike and motorcycle lanes
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.
"Gagawan po ng exclusive motorcycle lane sa kanan pero 'yun po ay ididiscuss pa namin ni Sec. Vince sa mga stakeholders sa mga darating na araw," he noted.
"During the construction ng EDSA, shared lanes muna itong bike lane, yung outermost lane para doon muna sila lahat for safety and traffic management purposes," Artes added.
When asked about the alternate routes, Artes said the agency will deploy daily enforcement teams along Mabuhay Lanes and alternative routes. These areas will be strictly monitored to ensure obstruction-free travel
The agency also promised to release detailed maps and advisories for alternative routes in the coming days to guide motorists.