The government will temporarily pause the P8.7-billion EDSA rebuild project to explore modern technologies that could shorten the construction period to just six months.

“We are using modern technology so that construction will only take six months,” Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Sunday, confirming that the project will temporarily take a backseat.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr), along with the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and other agencies, to revisit the EDSA rebuild plans and reduce the timeline through a whole-of-government approach.

Dizon said the President found the initial proposal — estimated to take two years — unacceptable, as it would mean prolonged traffic congestion, lost time, and missed opportunities for commuters and motorists.

“The President’s directive is clear: carefully study the EDSA rebuild plan because a two-year ordeal of traffic, lost time, and missed opportunities… is unacceptable,” he said.

He added that the DOTr would coordinate with partner agencies to ensure the President’s orders are followed.

“We will work with our partner agencies to fulfill the President’s directive to ease and hasten travel for commuters and motorists,” Dizon said.

As a result of the pause, planned traffic rerouting schemes and the reimplementation of the number coding system for EDSA will also be put on hold. Current traffic flow and coding rules will remain in place until a new plan is finalized.

The suspension comes as the government seeks ways to reduce the impact of construction on public mobility, especially with the upcoming school year expected to increase daily traffic volumes.