The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority posted photos of a bottleneck along EDSA on Tuesday, August 24, on its official Facebook page. One of the photos shows an arrangement of cones that reduced the highway’s four lanes into a single lane, causing heavy traffic.
The cones were set to prepare the road for repairs. However, the MMDA said it has reached out to the Department of Public Works and Highways, which oversees EDSA’s rehabilitation, to impose a fine on the project’s contractor for failing to deploy flagmen onsite to help manage traffic and guide motorists.
The MMDA further said that the contractor could face a fine of up to P50,000, which many motorists pointed out was a measly amount compared to the budget associated with these projects. In a report by Philstar.com, Phase 2 of the EDSA Rehabilitation Project, which covers the stretch from Orense Street to Monumento, was awarded to Readycon Trading and Construction in a joint venture with Dumduma Construction and Trading for P4 billion.
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Other comments in the MMDA’s post pointed out that the placement of cones and roadwork should be done during graveyard hours to prevent heavy traffic congestion during the morning rush. So far, the EDSA Rehabilitation Project has completed Phase 1 in April, with Phase 2 ongoing and expected to finish by 2027. However, this year’s rainy season also exposed early asphalt degradation, which prompted the DPWH to order a redo of some portions of the highway.
The Rehabilitation Project is still far from completion. On one hand, finished portions of EDSA are much smoother with the new asphalt compared to the moon-like craters of the previous road. On the other hand, we’re also seeing lapses that further contribute to the traffic motorists deal with every day. If you regularly go through EDSA, what are your thoughts on the progress so far?
