As the government prepares for the rehabilitation of EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s busiest highways, concerned agencies are working closely to develop traffic management plans to minimize public inconvenience.

The EDSA rehabilitation is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Build Better More” infrastructure program, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion and flooding through road repairs and drainage improvements.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are closely coordinating and currently planning measures to mitigate congestion during the EDSA rehabilitation period, which is expected to begin in June.

“I’m sure that there will be some inconvenience to some extent as some spaces (along EDSA) will be used as we do the rehabilitation work,” DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said during a briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Approximately 24 kilometers long, the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), is a major thoroughfare in Metro Manila. It stretches from the Bonifacio Monumento Circle in Caloocan to Pasay City.

Since contractors and construction workers will occupy parts of EDSA as they repair the highway, Bonoan said the MMDA and DOTr are identifying alternate routes and studying ways to manage traffic along EDSA during rehabilitation.

Bonoan said the DOTr is planning to coordinate with private concessionaires to allow certain vehicles to use the Skyway as a rerouting option to further ease traffic congestion.

The DPWH secretary said the MMDA is studying designating specific lanes for motor vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles to avoid lane congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow. | PND