A revised rehabilitation approach for EDSA and the enforcement of an odd-even traffic scheme will proceed in 2026 following a review of construction methods and project timeline, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Friday, Jul. 4.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the agency will adopt a more efficient “time and motion” method by overlaying a new pavement layer over the existing surface, replacing the original full-depth, lane-by-lane reconstruction plan.

“It looks promising. We are not going to scarify it anymore. We’ll just put it on top, but we have to stabilize it properly. EDSA will rise a bit, but not that high,” Bonoan said, noting that construction will primarily be done at night to reduce traffic disruption.

The project was temporarily suspended on June 1 after President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. called for a review to consider modern techniques that could shorten implementation and reduce costs.

Bonoan said work may begin in early 2026 on less congested sections of EDSA that would not significantly affect traffic flow.

“If we have the space early next year, then we can start. Some of the sections that are not most traveled and that will not substantially affect the traffic movement,” he said.

The revised plan will be submitted to the President for approval once finalized.

To manage traffic during construction, an odd-even vehicle scheme will be implemented along the highway.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is preparing support measures for commuters, including deploying additional buses on the EDSA Busway and evaluating the use of idle Dalian train sets for MRT-3.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said Sumitomo, the MRT-3 maintenance provider, is completing final checks on several of the trains ahead of possible deployment.

“There are only two or three items left. If those are cleared, then we can start using these trains,” Dizon said.