MANILA — Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured commuters on Thursday that the EDSA bus carousel will remain open and exclusive to buses during the overhaul of the major thoroughfare, which is set to begin in April.

The clarification comes after several business and commuter groups criticized the initial proposal of the Department of Public Works and Highways to temporarily transform the dedicated busway into a shared lane for buses and private vehicles.

EDSA southbound rehab may start in April: DOTr

“Ang consensus is we will keep the dedicated bus carousel… Kasi again, sabi ng Pangulo, priority (ang) commuter. Dalawang-daang libo ang gumagamit ng EDSA carousel araw-araw, dalawang daang libo,” stressed Dizon.

Dizon said the rest of the details on the EDSA rehabilitation— such as which segments will be fixed first, will be announced next week.

He joined other officials from the DPWH— which is the main implementer of the EDSA rehabilitation, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in a meeting with local government units in the National Capital Region to also discuss ways to minimize traffic congestion during the road reconstruction.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the national government agencies presented the general plan to the LGUs but now they still have to wait for their input before coming out with the final traffic management scheme.

Among the MMDA’s proposals is to add more Mabuhay Lanes or alternate routes to decongest EDSA.

“Meron na kaming mga na-identify. Kinonsult lang namin sa mga mayors para magbigay din sila ng inputs at makatulong din sila sa pag-iimplement ng traffic management plan namin,” said Artes.

But given the extensive road works that will be done, the officials also advised motorists to brace themselves for the impending “carmageddon”. 

EDSA rehabilitation project to be 'done in segments': DPWH 

“Malaki-laking at mahaba-habang pagtitiis ang kailangan nating gawin... Kailangan po natin ng pasensya pero naniniwala po ang aming mahal na Pangulo, kaming lahat, na kapag natapos ito, napakalaking ginhawa ang maibibigay nito sa mga kababayan nating araw-araw dumadaan sa EDSA,” said Dizon.

According to the DPWH, the project will be far different from the usual road reblockings the agency conducts every weekend.

“Tatanggalin ang lahat ng konkreto, titignan namin ang base, ire-reconcrete namin yan and aaspaltuhin namin… Armageddon po ito. It involves napakaraming equipment at tao na gagawa and we’re doing it na simultaneous,” said Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

But Artes added that the changes will help improve traffic flow, and even prevent flooding, once completed.

“Hindi na kayo mag-slowdown pag may nakikitang lubak, smooth yung kalsada… Kasama ang drainage na gagawin so yung pagbaha sa EDSA mawawala tapos yung aspalto magandang klase na. Magsi-seep yung water sa ilalim instead na naiiwan sa ibabaw. So lahat ng yan may magandang idudulot lalo na sa bilis ng daloy ng traffic,” he said.

Public Works Secretary Manny Bonoan earlier said that the agency will time the repairs during the holy week, when light traffic is observed in Metro Manila, since many Filipinos go home to the provinces or go on vacation.