Gov’t eyes imposing odd-even scheme on EDSA amid road rehab

The government is considering implementing an odd-even scheme along EDSA as it warned motorists of heavy traffic once rehabilitation of the thoroughfare begins.

In Joseph Morong’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” the government said the EDSA rehabilitation may begin during the Holy Week.

“Parang 'armageddon' po ito. May equipment, marami po tayong tao. Tatanggalin po lahat ng kongkreto, titingnan po namin yung base, ire-rec-oncrete po namin 'yan, iayos namin yung base and then aaspaltuhin namin,” DPWH Undersecretary Rovert Bernardo said.

(It will be like an armageddon since there will be equipment and a lot of workers. We will remove all the concrete, examine the base, fix it, re-concrete, and put asphalt.)

“Talagang one-time big-time repair ng EDSA. Isang hirap na lang tayo [It’s a one-time big-time repair in EDSA so that we will have to endure it in one go],” said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairperson Romando Artes.

The plan for the rehabilitation was presented in the Metro Manila Council meeting since EDSA covers nine cities in the National Capital Region.  

The details are being finalized.

Among the proposals to ease traffic is instituting an odd-even scheme on top of the existing number coding scheme.

Motorists like motorcycle taxi rider Alan Jordan expressed concern over the EDSA rehabilitation since it poses a challenge to his livelihood.

He said he has to go on longer routes if his passengers are dropped off along EDSA.

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the EDSA bus carousel will remain operational despite the rehabilitation.

EDSA buses will use the adjacent lane while the remaining lanes will be for private vehicles. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News