The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) held discussions with stakeholders regarding the traffic measures that will be implemented during the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) rebuilding project, which starts on June 13.
On Wednesday, MMDA officials met with representatives from motorcycle ride-hailing apps to discuss adjustments needed in preparation for the two-year EDSA Rebuild project initiated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, along with General Manager Procopio Lipana and Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Victor Nuñez, announced that the DPWH will begin removing the bike lane separators along EDSA.
The meeting also addressed the proposed shared lane for cyclists and motorcyclists, the installation of a dedicated motorcycle lane along EDSA, and suggestions from the companies present.
“We plan to establish exclusive motorcycle lanes along EDSA, as riders will be prohibited from using flyovers and underpasses,” said Artes.
Representatives from Grab, Move It, Angkas, and other organizations were present and voiced their support for the government’s plans aimed at creating a smoother and faster commute on EDSA.
Concerned agencies have also agreed on the removal of bike lane separators.
The MMDA earlier announced it will implement traffic mitigation measures to alleviate the expected road congestion during the rebuilding of the 23.8-kilometer highway.
According to Artes, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tasked the agency with managing traffic and implementing measures to avoid road congestion not only on EDSA but also on other identified alternative routes, including the Mabuhay Lanes.
One of the top priorities, as Artes mentioned, is the implementation of a 24-hour odd-even scheme limited to EDSA starting June 16, which will undergo a one-month trial run.
Under this plan, vehicles will be prohibited from entering EDSA on certain days based on their license plate numbers. Vehicles with plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 will not be allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while those ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 will face restrictions on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sundays and holidays will be free for all vehicles.
With the enforcement of the odd-even scheme, the MMDA anticipates a 40% reduction in the number of vehicles on EDSA. The number coding scheme will still be enforced on other thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
Additionally, provincial buses and trucks carrying perishable goods, garbage trucks, and aviation fuel delivery trucks will be banned from EDSA.
Moreover, identified alternative routes will be cleared of illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions.
The two-year EDSA Rebuild project, part of the administration’s ‘Build Better More’ initiative, is a major infrastructure project designed as a long-term solution to the ongoing issues of pothole patching and damaged road pavements.
This will involve using reinforced concrete to enhance the road’s durability in response to high vehicular volume.
The aim of the EDSA rebuild is to replace the current pavement with a more durable one. Preparatory work for the project will begin on June 13, with the DPWH employing multiple contractors simultaneously to expedite the progress.
Repairs and upgrades will be divided into segments, addressing each lane with an expected completion time of two months per section. Work will commence on the bus lane or innermost lane in both directions, eventually moving to the outer lanes. The initial focus will be on the stretch from Pasay to Shaw Boulevard (both northbound and southbound).
