Metro Manila, Philippines – The first phase of the major makeover of the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) was ‘practically’ completed two months ahead of schedule, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday, April 6.
Dizon shared the development after inspecting the main highway on Easter Monday, ahead of the expected traffic rush from returning travelers after the Holy Week break.
All lanes have been rehabilitated, with remaining work focusing on sidewalk expansion.
“Ang kailangan na lang nating gawin between now and hanggang mga June, July, ‘yung pagpapalapad natin ng sidewalk para sa ating mga pedestrians and bikers pero ‘yung mga dadaanan ng sasakyan, tapos na. Masaya tayo kasi ahead tayo ng halos dalawang buwan,” Dizon said.
[Translation: What we need to do between now and around June or July is to widen the sidewalks for our pedestrians and bikers, since the lanes for vehicles are already finished. We’re happy because we’re ahead by almost two months.]
‘More challenges’ for phase 2
The DPWH chief said bidding for the second phase, covering Orense to Monumento in Caloocan City, will begin this April. The same methodology will be applied to the makeover of the remaining sections, with repairs scheduled from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily.
“Phase 2 naman ang challenge kasi mas mahaba iyon mula Orense hanggang Monumento. Saka mas maraming challenges doon,” Dizon said, citing problems in some sections like Ortigas, Cubao, and Balintawak.
[Translation: Phase 2 is the challenge because it’s longer—from Orense to Monumento—and there are also more challenges there.]
The agency will utilize the holidays for round-the-clock work to speed up rehabilitation. Dizon said the second phase may take longer due to the rainy season.
“Pipilitin pa rin natin na by next year, matatapos na rin natin ang phase 2,” he said.
[Translation: We’ll try that by next year, phase 2 will be over.]
Meanwhile, the EDSA Magallanes flyover in Makati City reopened Monday after Holy Week rehabilitation.
