So, EDSA will soon undergo a major rehabilitation project. The project and its scope are so major that they are now calling it the EDSA Rebuild project.

In a press briefing, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shared the plans for the rebuilding of EDSA, and it seems to be more than just improving parts. In fact, they’re looking at really implementing a full reconstruction of the road. The goal is to correct errors, update sections, put new pavement, rebuild pedestrian walkways (finally!), improve the integration of the busway, and more.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan stated that the preliminary work will begin on June 13, wherein they will identify sections that need the most work, and then get started soon after. He shared the project will be done on a lane-by-lane basis, starting with the busway lane and moving outward. The work will involve multiple contractors to speed up the job, and speed will be critical as EDSA is effectively the main artery of the National Capital Region.

EDSA itself won’t be fully closed off, but it will be constricted due to the duration and scale of the scope. Of course, the main problem will be the effect on traffic over the next few years, so the MMDA will be implementing a policy we haven’t heard of in many years: an odd-even scheme.

Once they implement it, the EDSA prohibition will be based on the ending number of your license plate or conduction sticker, and will be as follows:

Plates or Conduction Sticker ending 1 / 3 / 5 / 7 / 9 – Banned on Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Plates or Conduction Sticker ending 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 0 – Banned on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

This policy will be on EDSA only to discourage motorists from taking the road while work is in place. We don’t expect crossing EDSA intersections (e.g. Ortigas) to be covered by the ban, but we need to wait for a more complete announcement and outline of other provisions (e.g., at a later date). Number coding will still be in effect on other roads. Fortunately, motorists driving EVs, HEVs, and PHEVs are exempted from the odd-even scheme.

The agencies concerned have also reached out to Skyway 3 management and are looking to implement a toll holiday on certain sections of the elevated roadway. Yes, free toll.

As to how they were able to do it, we expect the government to factor Skyway 3 into their construction budget to subsidize it for motorists. Whichever the case, we will find out soon enough, but we expect a lot of traffic in the weeks, months, and possibly years to come.