DPWH sets 6-month Edsa rehab in 2027
The rehabilitation of Edsa, Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare, could finally push through in 2027 and may take only six months, the top official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Wednesday.
Another major government initiative, the P488.5-billion Metro Manila Subway Project, on the other hand, will be completed by 2032 instead of 2028 as earlier projected due to delays.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the DPWH has already submitted its recommendation for the Edsa rehabilitation project to President Marcos, which includes tapping a technology that will allow it to be fast-tracked.
“The President doesn’t want the lane closures on Edsa to last too long,” Bonoan told reporters at the sidelines of the post-State of the Nation Address (Sona) briefing in San Juan City.
He said the DPWH is ready to begin work once it gets the go-signal from the President. But he added that it may not be practical to start this year in the middle of the rainy season.
Next year may also not be a good time as the Philippines will host the 44th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, Bonoan said.
Lower project cost
Asked if the government will spend more than the original budget of P8.7 billion, the DPWH secretary said the cost may be “lower.”
He did not say if the government was in talks with foreign companies for a potential collaboration on the project, only telling reporters that the DPWH is “experienced” in handling this type of massive undertaking.
The major overhaul of Edsa was originally set to start in the middle of last month, but the President ordered it postponed to allow the government to conduct scientific studies on measures, including the use of “new technology,” to alleviate its effects on traffic flow.
The Edsa Rebuild project involves the replacement of nearly the entire 24-kilometer stretch of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare to ease traffic congestion, enhance safety and prolong the road’s lifespan.
Among the planned works are concrete reblocking and laying of new asphalt on damaged portions, road widening and sidewalk improvements, drainage upgrades, improvement of lighting and signage, and bridge and flyover maintenance.
Traffic congestion in Metro Manila, particularly on Edsa, has been an unending problem for Filipinos. Based on the 2024 TomTom Traffic Index, Metro Manila emerged as the 15th metro area in the world with the worst traffic.
At the same post-Sona briefing, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon admitted that the government is “not on track” to finish the Metro Manila Subway Project by 2028, saying “it is extremely delayed.”
Dizon earlier said there has been a lot of delays in the operations within the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its Japanese partners.
But he remains confident the entire underground railway system will be operational after seven years.
Mr. Marcos earlier expressed optimism that the multibillion-peso development would be done by 2028, his last year in office.
3 stations by 2028
Dizon has committed to completing three stations by 2028—Valenzuela, Quirino and North Avenue.
The DOTr earlier awarded Contract Page (CP) 101, which covers four stations (East Valenzuela, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora and North Avenue) as well as the depot and Philippine Railway Institute Building to a joint venture led by EEI Corp. On the other hand, CP 102, composed of the Quezon Avenue and East Avenue stations, was bagged by D.M. Consunji Inc.
In a statement, the DOTr said that its partnership with the Pasig City government allowed it to iron out right-of-way issues for the Ortigas station.
“Hopefully, after a few weeks, we will finally start construction,” Dizon said.
The 17-station project, which spans 33 kilometers, aims to reduce travel time between Valenzuela City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport from one hour and 30 minutes to just 41 minutes.
It is expected to serve over 519,000 passengers daily once operational.
The idea of building a Metro Manila subway was first proposed in 1973 under the Urban Transport Study in the Manila Metropolitan Area.
