‘EDSA rebuild’ to start in June - Dizon

Metro Manila, Philippines - EDSA will not just undergo an ordinary rehabilitation but a “total rebuild” beginning June, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday, May 20.

“Sabi nga ng Pangulo, 45 years na bago inayos ang EDSA, kaya nga tatawagin na namin dito hindi na EDSA rehab, EDSA rebuild na,” he said in a chance interview.

[Translation: As the President said, it’s been 45 years since we rehabilitated EDSA. So we’ll no longer call it EDSA rehab but EDSA rebuild instead.]

Dizon said final plans will be announced next week, together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a separate interview on Tuesday, MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the rebuild will start on June 13.

The new target date came after several postponements, with the rehabilitation initially eyed in March, then moved to April, but it didn’t push through.

In DPWH’s original plan, 15 segments from the southbound lane from Monumento to Roxas Blvd. and the northbound segment of Quezon City-Caloocan boundary to Monumento Circle will undergo rehabilitation.

The DPWH previously told NewsWatch Plus fixing all lanes would take over a year.

The overhaul is planned to be carried out per lane, starting from the dedicated EDSA busway. Dizon, however, earlier maintained that the bus lane will stay exclusive even during the rehabilitation period.

While final details have yet to be announced, Dizon warned motorists on the possible impact of the “EDSA rebuild” to traffic buildup.

“Hindi namin mamaliitin ang magiging epekto nitong rebuild na ito, napakabigat na trapiko ang madudulot nito,” the secretary said, adding that the overhaul has to be done for the long-term benefit of the riding public.

[Translation: We won’t underestimate the rebuild’s impact. It will definitely cause heavy traffic.]