EDSA rehab to begin in March —MMDA chief

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes on Wednesday said the rehabilitation of EDSA is expected to begin by March of this year.

At a Palace press briefing, Artes said the matter was discussed during a meeting with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday in which they tackled the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) for Metro Manila and its nearby provinces.

''Napag-usapan po 'yan kahapon, sinabi po ni DPWH Secretary (Manuel) Bonoan na ginagawa na po 'yung timetable at 'yung preliminary traffic management plan para po sa rehab ng EDSA,'' Artes said. 

(We discussed that yesterday, Secretary Bonoan said they are doing the timetable and the preliminary traffic management plan for the rehabilitation of EDSA.)

''Target pa rin po ay makapagsimula ng March para matapos po siya in time for the ASEAN... southbound lang po muna ang gagawin...'' he added. 

(Our target is to start it by March so we can finish it in time for the ASEAN...we will repair the southbound lane first)

Artes also mentioned some challenges in the EDSA rehabilitation, including the drainage system. He also mentioned that they discussed the areas in EDSA, which have less alternate routes. 

''Ang challenge lamang po na napag-usapan kahapon kasi sasabayan na po ng paggawa ng drainage system sa EDSA para maiwasan iyong pagbabaha. Ni-raise lamang po natin iyong concern na since iyong drainage po ay nasa outer lane, marami pong utilities diyan eh,'' he said. 

(The challenge we are seeing is it will coincide with the rehabilitation of drainage system in EDSA to avoid flooding. We raised the concern because the drainage is in the outer lane, there are a lot of utilities there.)

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manny Bonoan earlier said the Philippine government would undertake major infrastructure projects this year, including the complete rehabilitation of EDSA.

Bonoan said improving the riding quality in EDSA is included in the priority projects of the Marcos administration. 

The rehabilitation project aims to address long-standing issues with the highway as well as enhance the overall commuting experience for millions of Filipinos, according to Bonoan. —AOL, GMA Integrated News