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By Ashley Erika O. Jose, <\/b>Journalist<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n THE P8.7-billion restoration of the <\/span>Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) is scheduled to commence on June 13 and is anticipated to conclude by 2027, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) announced on Monday.<\/p>\n The DoTr detailed plans to tackle the traffic bottleneck that is likely to escalate once sections of Metro Manila\u2019s most trafficked highway will be shut for restoration work.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will reconstruct EDSA. This initiative by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will revamp the entire stretch of EDSA and transform it into an eco-friendly and pedestrian-friendly roadway. The whole concrete framework of EDSA needs to be altered,\u201d Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon stated at a media conference on Monday. <\/span><\/p>\n The EDSA reconstruction endeavor, which will span two years, will mark the highway\u2019s first significant restoration since 1980. Approximately 437,000 vehicles traverse EDSA daily.<\/span><\/p>\n Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan mentioned that the project seeks to make Metro Manila\u2019s longest and most congested highway more friendly towards pedestrians and commuters.<\/span><\/p>\n Initial works will commence the evening of June 13, with full construction expected to kick off a week later, Mr. Bonoan indicated. This will entail delineating sections as the rehabilitation project is designed <\/span>to be executed lane by lane.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe essence of the reconstruction project, our deliverables include rebuilding and reconstructing the entire EDSA. We will replace the pavement with a new one; in essence, we will overhaul the entire EDSA and incorporate the latest technologies in concrete mixtures,\u201d Mr. Bonoan remarked.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe will engage several contractors at the same time. Construction will advance lane by lane.\u201d<\/p>\n Overall, around 200 kilometers of lane covering both northbound and southbound EDSA will be restored, Mr. Bonoan noted, adding that the southern section will be addressed first, followed by the northbound segment next year.<\/p>\n \u201cI doubt we can complete the southbound section this year as we are already in the middle of the year. We will continue the implementation of southbound and northbound until next year, simultaneously,\u201d Mr. Bonoan stated.<\/p>\n Beginning mid-June, the government will commence digging up the existing surface and laying new concrete, with a focus on the Pasay and Guadalupe sections.<\/p>\n Mr. Bonoan stated that the EDSA Bus Lane, which accommodates nearly 200,000 average daily passengers, will remain operational throughout the rehabilitation phase.<\/p>\n He mentioned that the government is prioritizing the southern area of EDSA due to the nation\u2019s expected hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2026, which is anticipated to be held in the southern part of Metro Manila.<\/p>\n \u201cOur consideration for this arrangement is the ASEAN meeting. We will need to avoid construction along EDSA during that period,\u201d Mr. Bonoan mentioned.<\/p>\n TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT \u201cWe recognize that this temporary arrangement could lead to a loss of revenue for SMC, the Skyway operator. In response, the DoTr and Toll Regulatory Board are evaluating alternatives to grant SMC some relief, including a potential extension of their concession agreement with the government,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n BusinessWorld<\/i> also reached out for comments from SMC but has yet to receive a response by the deadline.<\/p>\n \u201cThe toll exemption will take effect once the full-scale construction commences, likely in July or August,\u201d Mr. Dizon mentioned.<\/p>\n The DoTr and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have also formulated their preliminary traffic mitigation strategies which include deploying 100 bus units on the EDSA Busway and increasing train frequency at Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).<\/p>\n MMDA Chairman Romando S. Artes indicated that the odd-even scheme for private vehicles will also be rigorously enforced along EDSA for a 24-hour duration, excluding Sundays.<\/span><\/p>\n Under this approach, private vehicles with plates ending in odd digits will be prohibited from using EDSA on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while vehicles with plates ending in even digits will be barred on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThrough this scheme, we anticipate a 40% reduction in vehicles on EDSA. The existing coding regulations will remain effective for roads beyond EDSA,\u201d Mr. Artes commented.<\/p>\n Electric vehicles and hybrid cars are exempt from the number coding system, as per the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) in the Philippines.<\/p>\n Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) like Grab and inDrive are also excluded from the odd-even regulations on EDSA.<\/p>\n Additionally, trucks and provincial buses will be barred from using EDSA from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. starting June 13.<\/p>\n ECONOMIC IMPACT \u201cThe EDSA restoration should have been undertaken years ago. It will create temporary difficulties. I participated in the JICA assessment (in 2018), and the economic loss is now even larger than that. It could decrease after the completion of EDSA rehabilitation,\u201d Rene S. Santiago, former president of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, stated in a Viber message to BusinessWorld<\/i>.<\/p>\n Manila was ranked the 14th<\/sup> most trafficked congested city globally, with an average travel time of 32 minutes over an average 10-kilometer distance, according to the latest version of the TomTom Traffic Index. <\/span><\/p>\n John Paolo R. Rivera, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, expressed that the closure of sections of EDSA would likely exacerbate traffic and influence consumer activity. <\/p>\n \u201cThe anticipated traffic disruptions due to construction, coupled with the odd-even scheme, are likely to dissuade individuals from frequenting shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment venues situated along EDSA. People may opt for establishments outside congested areas or those accessible via alternative routes,\u201d he stated in a Viber message.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, Mr. Rivera mentioned that upon completion of the project, it could yield long-term advantages such as improved traffic flow and reduced travel durations.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will enhance productivity and decrease vehicle operating expenses and fuel usage. It will also contribute to enhanced road safety and commuter experiences, higher business confidence, and increased property valuations along EDSA,\u201d he articulated. <\/span><\/p>\n Globalinks Securities and Stocks, Inc. Head of Sales Trading Toby Allan C. Arce noted that the EDSA rehabilitation could significantly influence both traffic conditions and economic activities, particularly for businesses that rely on pedestrian traffic.<\/p>\n Mr. Arce remarked that this may enhance online shopping as consumers prioritize convenience.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>DoTr\u2019s Mr. Dizon reported that San Miguel Corp. (SMC) had agreed to suspend the toll fee for certain segments <\/span>of the Skyway Stage 3 throughout the EDSA rehabilitation period. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b>A 2018 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) analysis estimated the economic burden of traffic congestion in Metro Manila to be approximately P3.5 billion daily. <\/span><\/p>\n