THE ongoing rehabilitation and repair on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) are in full swing, aimed at completing the job ahead of schedule, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Saturday that rehabilitation and maintenance works are being done 24/7 with augmented equipment and personnel to fast-track the ongoing concrete reblocking and asphalt overlay in preparation for the expected influx of vehicles after the long holiday break. According to Dizon, the DPWH is also in close coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for traffic management. The MMDA and DOTr, Dizon said, deployed additional traffic enforcers to ensure the safety and security of motorists and commuters while the rehabilitation is ongoing. "We also thank the public for their understanding as we conduct these essential road improvements," Dizon said. "We aim to finish the ongoing road reblocking and asphalt overlay in certain parts of EDSA ahead of schedule to mitigate traffic after the long holiday break." Dizon said that they were also ready for the next phase of rehabilitation in other parts of EDSA scheduled to take place from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5, 2026. From Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026, concrete reblocking works will be done on the southbound and northbound sections of EDSA. Covered by the southbound works are EDSA corner Taft Ave. to FB Harrison, near HomeExpo Building Depot to P. Celle Street, and along Ayala underpass exit to San Lorenzo Village. Northbound overlay, includes Roxas Boulevard Heritage Hotel until Sgt. Mariano, Park Avenue to EDSA Orense (inner lane), and select portions along EDSA from Orense to Shell McKinley. Asphalt overlay (Northbound) will be done from Tramo to E. Rodriguez, both inner lane to outer lane (Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026); E. Rodriguez to Kalayaan Avenue, inner lane to outer outer lane (Dec. 29, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026); Roxas Boulevard to FB Harrison, inner to outer lane (Dec. 31, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026); FB Harrison to Tramo Bus Station, inner lane (Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2026); and Ayala Underpass to Urdaneta Subdivision, inner to outer lane (Jan. 2, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2026). Southbound overlay will be done along Roling Street to Roxas Boulevard, inner to outer lane (Dec. 30, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026); Ayala underpass to Tramo bus station, inner lane (Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2026); and Palm Drive to Ayala underpass, inner to outer lane (Jan. 3, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2026). The DPWH has advised all motorists to use alternative routes during the said period. Under the revised work plan, Dizon said, the rehabilitation of EDSA will be implemented in two phases of four months each, starting at the Roxas Boulevard to EDSA-Orense, while the second phase will cover the rest of EDSA. The 23.8-kilometer EDSA stretch is the longest and most congested highway in Metro Manila. It passes through six of Metro Manila's 17 local government units or cities, namely, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Pasay. With faster implementation, Dizon pointed out, the cost of rehabilitating EDSA would be down to P6 billion from the original estimate of P17 billion or a substantial savings of P11 billion, which the government can use to fund other projects. This follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the DPWH and DOTr to make EDSA accessible and walkable for commuters and pedestrians, especially the vulnerable sectors such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women. Among the action plans on EDSA will be the expansion of pedestrian lanes, implementing shared bike lanes and repair stops, pedestrian waiting sheds, and removal of obstructions along the commuter route.