Brace yourselves, Metro Manila. The long-overdue overhaul of the city’s favorite love-to-hate highway is finally happening, and the final intervention measures to mitigate the chaos will “definitely come out within next week,” according to officials.

The plan was presented to Metro Manila’s local government units (LGUs) during the latest Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting, where mayors and other officials gave their two cents on how to soften the blow for motorists and commuters alike.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair and MMC chief Don Artes made it clear that President Bongbong Marcos’s marching orders were to keep the public’s convenience in mind throughout the entire process. And with EDSA’s lane capacity expected to shrink during the works, that’s no small task.

“With the expected decrease in lane capacity of EDSA, we are tasked to develop the final plan centered on the President’s directive to ease the inconvenience to motorists and most especially commuters,” Artes said. “We will likewise clear and maintain alternate routes which will be identified once the final plan has come out.”

Department of Transportation secretary Vince Dizon also chimed in, reassuring everyone that the project is being planned with surgical precision to avoid turning EDSA into a nightmare beyond what we’re already used to.

“We want to lay out plans that are concrete, sure, and uncompromised to make sure that motorists and commuters will not bear too much burden as we roll out roadworks,” Dizon explained.

Dizon added that this EDSA revamp is a cornerstone of the President’s flagship “Build Better More” infrastructure program, emphasizing that a total makeover is necessary.

“The only way to build a better EDSA is to do this huge and overall plan to overhaul its stretch,” he said. “We need this massive change to beautify this major artery.”

Sure, the thought of EDSA becoming a “beautiful artery” sounds lovely, but we all know that getting there will be messy. Acknowledging that the project won’t be a walk in the park, Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary for NCR Operations Roberto Bernardo assured the public that they’re exploring ways to speed up the process.

“With the help of DOTr and the MMDA, we can ease the burden of our motorists and commuters amid the looming roadworks,” Bernardo declared.

Metro Manila’s mayors, who make up the MMC, have pledged their full support in keeping their constituents informed and prepared for what’s to come. “We will assist not just in explaining, but also in crafting additional policies as necessary,” said Pateros mayor Ike Ponce. He also had a message for the public: Buckle up and prepare for some short-term pain that should, hopefully, lead to long-term gains.

So, while the promise of a sleeker, smoother EDSA sounds great, it’s safe to assume that Metro Manila’s patience will be tested once the jackhammers hit the tarmac. Let’s just hope those alternate routes are ready for prime time.