DOTr: Expect heavy traffic amid EDSA rehab

The Department of Transportation on Wednesday advised the public to expect heavy traffic during the rehabilitation of EDSA which will start by the end of March. 

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the department and concerned government agencies are preparing measures to ease the expected heavy traffic. 

“Hindi po natin mapipigilan na medyo bibigat talaga ang daloy ng trapiko kapag ni-rehab ang EDSA kasi itong rehab na ito, hindi na po ito 'yung patse-patseng rehab noong mga nakaraan. Ito po ay buong rehab na ng buong EDSA,” he told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview. 

(Heavy traffic flow is inevitable when EDSA is rehabilitated because this rehab is not piece by piece like in the past. This is a full rehab of the entire EDSA.)

“Kaya po hihingi na lamang po tayo ng paumanhin pero gagawin po natin ang lahat sa tulong ng [Metropolitan Manila Development Authority] at [Department of Public Works and Highways] para po maibsan ang traffic diyan,” he added. 

(So we apologize but we will do everything with the help of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways to ease the traffic there.) 

Dizon earlier said the repairs could begin in April.

The DPWH - National Capital Region earlier said one segment of the rehabilitation will start in the northbound portion from the Quezon City/Caloocan boundary to Monumento.

“Following the anticipated major rehabilitation and upgrading of EDSA, the DPWH-NCR is actively preparing to implement the rehabilitation works by segments, one lane at a time, starting from the EDSA bus lane,” it said.

The rehabilitation works are part of the country's hosting preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit next year.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News