Big changes are coming to Metro Manila&rsquo;s roads, and if you often drive along Edsa, it&rsquo;s time to buckle up. The government is giving Edsa a major upgrade, and to help ease the expected traffic jams, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is rolling out a few key measures&mdash;starting with free toll access to Skyway Stage 3 and a new odd-even driving scheme.
Think of it as a temporary travel hack: instead of getting stuck in the chaos of roadwork, you might soon be able to move through Skyway Stage 3 without paying toll fees. This will be available once construction on Edsa ramps up, possibly by July or August. According to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, this detour is meant for vehicles that can skip Edsa entirely, offering them a faster and cost-free route during the rebuild.
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Alongside the free Skyway ride, the government is also introducing an odd-even scheme to lessen the number of cars on Edsa. Starting June 16, cars with plates ending in odd numbers will not be allowed on Edsa on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Even-numbered plates will stay off the road on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sundays, however, remain free-for-all driving days. A one-week dry run will help drivers adjust, and no penalties will be given during that period.
To further help commuters, more buses will be added to the Edsa busway, and extra MRT-3 trains will run during peak hours. The MMDA is also working to clear alternate roads of any obstructions, so drivers have more options when avoiding construction-heavy areas.
The full Edsa rehabilitation kicks off with preparatory works starting June 13. While digging and major construction won't start immediately, the plans are in motion. Until then, it&rsquo;s all about staying informed, planning ahead, and maybe taking the Skyway&mdash;while it&rsquo;s free.