The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Monday that while the EDSA Magallanes Flyover has reopened to motorists, pedestrian sidewalks along the highway still require expansion and improvement.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said crews completed the repair of the flyover’s exposed steel joints over the Holy Week, making the route passable for vehicles.
“[Yong] mga bakal na nakausli, na delikado sa mga sasakyan, lalo na sa mga motor, ‘yan po itinanggal na natin dahil naayos na natin, minadali natin noong Holy Week,” Dizon said in an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos.
Dizon said construction on the highway’s Phase 1 segment from Roxas Boulevard to Orense is complete, two months ahead of schedule.
“Pinaspasan po natin itong nakaraang holy week na talagang bumuhos po tayo dyan 24/7. So ang maganda po ay natapos na po natin. Ang pagpapalawak na lang ng sidewalk ang natitira.”
The agency plans to begin sidewalk expansion from Orense to Monumento this month, aiming to finish the full EDSA rehabilitation by next year. Dizon emphasized that the project prioritizes the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters, not just motorists.
The DPWH is also standardizing lane markings and signages along EDSA to meet international safety standards.
“Kung ano-ano na rin ang signages. Minsan nga, meron pang mga sponsored by Sogo Hotels. Eh tatanggalin na po natin at gagawin na po nating standard international na,” he said.
Dizon noted that the new asphalt used in the rehabilitation is more durable, similar to materials used on airport runways, and comes with a five-year warranty.
“Yun ang number one na kalaban ng kalye, ng aspalto. Ang problema talaga dyan drainage,” he said, citing prior issues on Maharlika Highway and other national roads.
“Kaya po yan nasisira paulit-ulit dahil walang drainage na tama. So yun, babaguhin natin. Pagka finull-rehab na natin yan, yung rehabilitation natin na gagawin this month, aayusin na natin yung drainage yan para hindi na talaga masisira, tatagal na po yung kalye,” he added.
The EDSA rehabilitation, originally budgeted at ₱17 billion with a two-and-a-half-year timeline, has been revised to cost less than a third of that amount while accelerating completion.
Nighttime work from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. will continue, with full completion of the entire highway projected next year.
“So mga next year tapos na po tayo sa buong EDSA. Babagal lang po tayo ng konti kasi magtatag-ulan na.”
“So magiging araw-arawin yan kapag umuulan kasi maaapektuhan din po yung quality ng trabaho. Pero kahit habang umuulan, totodo po tayo. “
