EDSA rehab milestone reached as busway reopens

Yesterday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that it has completed the first phase of the EDSA Rehabilitation project. As of January 4, 2026, the EDSA Busway lanes stretching from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City to Orense in Makati City have been resurfaced with stone mastic asphalt, a material designed to better withstand harsh weather conditions and heavier vehicle loads.

The rehabilitation focused on EDSA’s inner lanes, which now feature a thicker layer of asphalt. While the roadworks caused some traffic disruptions over the holiday period, the improvements are expected to deliver smoother roads and improved traffic flow in the months ahead. 

For the remaining sections of EDSA still due for repairs, the Department of Public Works and Highways said rehabilitation will continue starting January 5, 2026, with works scheduled nightly from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM to minimize daytime traffic disruptions. From Monday to Friday until May 31, asphalt overlay work will be carried out lane by lane in both the northbound and southbound directions. Meanwhile, from Friday to Sunday, asphalt overlaying and reblocking will be limited to a single lane on each side of EDSA.

Still, motorists are reminded that private cars are still not permitted to use the exclusive busway, with acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez saying, “Private vehicles are not allowed to pass through the EDSA busway. That is our frequent reminder. Our SAICT (Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation) personnel are always on alert to catch private vehicles passing through the busway, and the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) will also continue to implement the No Contact Apprehension Policy.”