DPWH: EDSA bus lane remains exclusive to buses amid rehab works

MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday clarified that the EDSA Busway will remain exclusive to buses as rehabilitation works along one of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares continue.

This comes after the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) opposed the Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon’s earlier statement that the government will temporarily allow private vehicles on the EDSA bus lane.

“Dedicated bus roadway and only regulated buses with high-volume capacity are the design imperatives for the Busway. The policy should be to move passengers, not vehicles,” the business group said in a statement.

According to the DPWH, private vehicles may only use Lanes 1 to 4 of EDSA southbound for two weeks as Phase 2 of the EDSA Rehabilitation continues from Nepa Q-Mart in Cubao to Guadalupe.

Asphalt overlaying works are still underway in those portions of southbound EDSA every night.

As a result, barriers remain positioned along the second lane.

However, motorists are allowed to pass through the barriers and use the second lane to help ease traffic congestion.

The DPWH also said it is implementing traffic management measures in coordination with the MMDA and has installed traffic signs in affected areas to help maintain smooth traffic flow.