The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reopened the southbound lane of the EDSA Magallanes Flyover in Makati City early Monday, Apr. 6, after days of safety repairs carried out during the Holy Week break.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon led a pre-dawn inspection at around 3:30 a.m. on Apr. 6, during which he initially said the flyover would be cleared for public use before the early morning rush.

The flyover finally opened to motorists around 6 a.m. after crews completed final cleaning and safety checks on the newly asphalted surface.

The flyover had been closed since Holy Wednesday evening, Apr. 1, to address safety concerns involving its expansion joints, which Dizon described as requiring immediate repair to prevent further risks to motorists.

Repair works covered retrofitting, replacement of expansion joints, and asphalting, with the project costing an estimated P180 million, including P25 million allocated for the expansion joints.

Dizon said repair teams worked continuously from Holy Week until the reopening to ensure the structure would be ready as commuters returned to Metro Manila after the long weekend.

Only minor works remain, which DPWH will carry out during nighttime hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. to avoid disrupting traffic flow.

The reopening forms part of the government’s broader EDSA rehabilitation program, with Phase 1—from Roxas Boulevard to Orense—now practically finished and ahead of schedule by close to two months.

Remaining works under Phase 1 will focus on sidewalk widening and improvements to pedestrian and bicycle lanes along the stretch.

Phase 2 of the rehabilitation, covering Orense to Monumento, is set for bidding this April and will follow the same nighttime construction strategy to minimize traffic disruption.

Dizon also said the revised rehabilitation plan significantly reduced costs from the original P17 billion to less than P6 billion after the government shifted away from a full reconstruction approach while maintaining construction quality and long-term durability.