The Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue is perhaps the best thoroughfare to describe how bad motoring and commuting are in our country. Almost all areas of the 23.8km five-lane road (in most parts at least) are suffering from gridlock nearly 24/7.

The entire stretch has its share of potholes, while the EDSA Carousel terminals are hellholes for tired Filipino commuters. It is also teeming with shopping centers that exacerbate the bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Earlier this year, the administration—led by then Department of Public Works and Highways head Manuel Bonoan—announced plans to rehabilitate EDSA. He said this would need P17 billion and may take up to two years to complete.

However, President Bongbong Marcos stopped the project’s implementation. He tasked related agencies to carefully study a rehab program that causes the least disturbance to motorists and commuters relying on the main thoroughfare.

Now, current DPWH chief Vince Dizon, together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Transportation, announced that they have found a better and quicker way to rehabilitate EDSA. And it is set to begin this December 24.

The project will be completed in just eight months and is said to be more affordable, as the government will ‘only’ spend P6 billion, an P11-billion savings. Dizon said that the DPWH will take advantage of the Christmas break for the first phase of the project.

From 11pm of December 24 to 4am of January 5 next year, 24/7 repairs will be done on the stretch of EDSA from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay to Orense Street in Makati. The works will be done on each lane, and not all areas will be reblocked (only those that badly need it).

This, according to the heads of the agencies, is more logical, as many city dwellers will be spending the Christmas break in their provinces.

As asphalt overlay will be made, driving along EDSA will be a much better experience. The lanes that have been completely rehabilitated will then be made available for use by the public.

By January 5, works will be done from 10pm to 4am on weekdays. Asphalted portions will be opened to traffic by 5am. Additional asphalt overlay and reblocking works will be done from 10pm to 4am on weekends.

More than the P11-billion savings, the DPWH will also be using Stone Mastic Asphalt technology, the first time the agency will use the new asphalt technology in the country. This kind of asphalt is 20%-45% more expensive, but offers a 20%-30% increase in service life, making it last longer than traditional asphalt.

It is also perfect for heavy traffic applications; produces lower noise; improves visibility even in wet conditions; and is cracking-resistant.

Given the systematic schedule, the MMDA said that there’s no need to adjust the number-coding scheme. The EDSA Busway will still get dedicated lanes, but will be moved when works are done on the innermost lane of the segment.

Based on the pronouncements, the new EDSA Rehab works seem promising. Let’s just wait and see if the responsible government agencies can implement it well.

For now, brace yourselves and make the necessary adjustments, as traffic should be worse while the works are being carried out.