DPWH-NCR to rehab EDSA by end of March; bus lane to be temporarily relocated
The Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region will begin rehabilitating EDSA by the end of March.
In a statement posted on Facebook, DPWH-NCR said works on the major thoroughfare will be done by segments, one lane at a time, starting from the EDSA bus lane.
By the end of the month, one segment of the rehabilitation will start in the northbound portion from Quezon City/Caloocan boundary to Monumento.
The DPWH-NCR pointed out that the EDSA bus carousel remains operational, though will be temporarily located to its adjacent lane. EDSA bus stations, meanwhile, remain open for commuters.
"Once the closed segments from the first lane are fully rehabilitated, the EDSA bus lane will move back to its original lane to accommodate its regular operations," the agency said.
It reminded the public that updates on the rehabilitation activities will be posted on its official social media channels.
The rehabilitation works are part of the Philippines' hosting preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in 2026.
The EDSA bus lane is reserved for public utility buses, emergency vehicles like ambulances and firetrucks, and marked government vehicles responding to emergencies.
According to the Department of Transportation, the country's top officials—the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court—may use the lane “to provide assistance in the performance of their duties.” The officials have to inform the DOTr ahead of time, and once approved, the plate number will be given to traffic enforcers.
Authorities have apprehended unauthorized vehicles passing through the bus lane, including politicians and their relatives.
Unauthorized usage of the EDSA bus lane incurs a P5,000 fine on the first offense; a P10,000 fine, one-month suspension of driver’s license, and a road safety seminar on the second offense; a P20,000 fine and one-year suspension of driver’s license on the third offense; and P30,000 fine and cancellation of driver’s license on the fourth offense.
