The long-delayed rehabilitation of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) may be moved to 2027, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) aiming to shorten construction to just six months, pending final approval.

In an interview with reporters after a forum on Wednesday, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the project was deferred due to the onset of the rainy season and the upcoming 2026 ASEAN Summit.

However, changes in the construction approach will allow work to be completed faster and with minimal lane closures.

“The President has instructed us to look into what technology we can use to speed up the construction. The President does not want the lanes on EDSA to be closed for too long,” Bonoan said.

“We looked into it and we already have a recommendation that’s faster, one that won’t require us to close the lanes on EDSA,” he added.

The plan has already been submitted for approval. Once cleared, work will commence in 2027.

“It can be finished within the administration and will take about six months,” he said.

Bonoan noted that the revised scope will also lead to “slight changes in the budget,” which he said will be lower. To recall, the full upgrade of the superhighway was initially pegged at P15 billion, with P8.7 billion allocated for the first year alone.

Originally, preparatory work for the EDSA rehabilitation was set to begin on the night of 13 June, with full implementation stretching through 2027.