The delayed rehabilitation of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) is set to begin on December 24, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shortening the project timeline to eight months to minimize disruptions to motorists.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon announced the revised plan during a joint press conference with the Metropolitan Manila Devel-opment Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday, saying the agency will use the two-week holiday break to carry out major road works.
Dizon said the rehabilitation will be implemented in two phases and completed within eight months, significantly shorter than the original two-year plan.
Under the revised schedule, the first four months will cover the stretch from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City to Orense Street in Makati City, while the remaining four months will focus on rehabilitating the rest of EDSA.
Initial works will start at 12 a.m. on December 24, 2025, and run until 4 a.m. on January 5, 2026.
During this period, round-the-clock reblocking works and asphalt overlay of the EDSA busway lanes will be undertaken.
Dizon said the project will use new Japanese road technology, including stone mastic asphalt, which is expected to make repairs faster, more durable, and less disruptive.
The revised plan is also expected to cut project costs to about P6 billion, generating savings of up to P11 billion from the earlier P17-billion proposal.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the EDSA Busway will remain operational throughout the rehabilitation, with enough buses deployed to ensure uninterrupted service.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said additional traffic enforcers will be deployed and alternative routes opened to help manage traffic during construction. Authorities said traffic management measures will be closely coordinated to minimize con-gestion.
