The long-anticipated rehabilitation of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) is finally set to move forward, with the Department of Public Works and Highways confirming that construction will begin on December 24. The government aims to take advantage of the extended holiday break, when traffic volume is expected to be lighter, to fast-track repairs along Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said the new schedule reflects a recalibrated approach designed to minimize disruption while accelerating completion. Instead of stretching over several years, the project is now targeted for completion in just eight months, covering the entire 23.8-kilometer stretch that cuts across six cities in the capital region.
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Revised Schedule and Faster Timeline
During a press conference on December 17, Dizon explained that rehabilitation works will run continuously from 11 p.m. on December 24 until 4 a.m. on January 5, 2026, with construction operating 24 hours a day throughout the holiday period. After January 5, road works will shift to a nightly schedule from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. to reduce daytime traffic impact.
“With less disruption, more work can be done and at least cost to the government,” Dizon said.
Under the revised plan, the rehabilitation will be implemented in two phases of four months each. The first phase will cover the section from Roxas Boulevard to EDSA-Orense, while the second phase will address the remaining portions of the highway. The updated approach also significantly lowers the project cost to P6 billion, down from the earlier estimate of P17 billion.
The decision to move the start date to Christmas Eve follows an earlier postponement announced in June 2025, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered additional studies to lessen the burden on commuters and businesses. Officials said those assessments informed the current, more streamlined rollout.
Accessibility, Traffic Flow, and Public Impact
Beyond resurfacing and structural repairs, the rehabilitation aims to make EDSA more accessible and safer for pedestrians and commuters. In line with the President’s directive, the project will expand pedestrian lanes, introduce shared bike lanes, and improve bus stops and waiting sheds, particularly for vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
To manage congestion during construction, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes said only limited portions of EDSA will be closed at any given time, with repaired sections reopened early the next morning. Traffic advisories and management plans will be released as work progresses.
The rehabilitation represents a short-term inconvenience with long-term implications. EDSA remains a daily reality for millions of workers, students, and commuters, and improving its condition affects travel time, road safety, and overall quality of life. If completed as planned, the project could ease one of Metro Manila’s most persistent transport headaches and signal a more efficient approach to fixing the country’s critical infrastructure.
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