EDSA Rehabilitation Will Start With Bus Lane: DPWH
Here's what this means for commuters.
(SPOT.ph) Remember the news about the full rehabilitation of EDSA this year? That’s still happening—but now the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has dropped a bomb that the project will start by closing the exclusive bus lane.
Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean EDSA Bus Carousel service will be scrapped altogether. Instead, buses will temporarily shift to other lanes on EDSA while construction is underway.
“We will not close the EDSA Carousel. Its operation will continue, but with some adjustment, depending on the location where the DPWH is working,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said at a press conference.
The project is expected to take over a year to complete, with officials aiming to fast-track the repairs in time for the Philippines' hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.
Also read: DOTr to Add 100-200 More Buses on EDSA Carousel
What to know about the temporary closure of the EDSA Bus Lane
In an interview with Dobol B TV, DPWH National Capital Region (NCR) Director Lorie Malaluan said the agency is working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to close the bus lanes, allowing for uninterrupted 24/7 construction work.
The rehabilitation will initially cover A) one northbound and B) 15 southbound segments of EDSA, with a budget of P300 million and P7 billion, respectively.
Work on the northbound section, from Balintawak to Monumento, will begin first while procurement and funding allocation for the southbound segments are still being processed. Once the budget is released, repairs will proceed from Monumento to Roxas Boulevard.
"Ito pong DOTR po ay pinag-aaralan na nila, kasi po ang aming proposal ay magiging shared po muna ang mga bus lane while ginagawa po natin o nire-rehabilitate ang EDSA,” Malaluan said. The project includes reinforcing concrete pavement, applying asphalt overlays, fixing drainage, and introducing anti-rutting modifiers to extend the road’s lifespan.
The original plan was to begin rehabilitation with the outermost lane—the bicycle lane—but this was reconsidered due to the number of utility lines running through that section. This is why the DPWH chose to start with the bus lane instead.
"Uunahin na natin 'yung bus lane. Isasarado po as agreed upon naman po with MMDA, mag 24/7 ang trabaho kaya magsasarado po tayo ng ating bus lane,” Malaluan said. “Pero may gaps tayo iiwan.”
These gaps refer to where bus stations are located, which will remain open so commuters can still access public transportation for the EDSA Carousel. All other sections of the bus lane will undergo construction.
“After completing lahat sa bus lane, lilipat tayo sa outer lane,” Malaluan said.
The EDSA Bus Lane remains a hot topic as Dizon pushes for privatization, former Senator Ping Lacson proposes a lane reversal to prevent unauthorized use, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) faces criticism after a convoy was caught illegally using the lane.
Also read: MMDA Floats Idea of Removing Bus Lane to Ease Traffic on EDSA