The first phase of the P65-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension is 67.5 percent complete as of end December 2021 and is expected to start partial operations in the first quarter of 2024 yet, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) announced.
In a statement Monday, Feb. 7, LRMC said that Phase 1 of the 11.7 kilometer project covers a total of five stations: Dr. A Santos in Parañaque, Ninoy Aquino, Asiaworld, MIA, and Redemptorist Church area in Baclaran.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to conduct trial runs in the Baclaran to Dr. Santos segment by March 2023.
The railway is expected to start partial operations in the first quarter of 2024 and projected completion for Phase 1 of the project, a joint endeavor of the DOTr, LRMC and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), is by late 2024 or early 2025.
Today, DOTr Secretary Art Tugade also witnessed the erection of the last span for Phase 1.
LRMC expressed optimism after the completion of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1 viaduct.
Civil works for the viaduct made use of a special engineering method, a first for the Philippines, which has allowed for faster execution causing minimal effect on the ground-level traffic.
Now that the viaduct has been completed, electromechanical works (the laying of the rails and the installation of the electrical system) and the construction of the stations are set to begin.
Since assuming LRT-1 operations in 2015, LRMC invested almost P25 billion for the rehabilitation of the existing system and construction of the Cavite Extension.
Recently, it has upgraded to a brand-new signalling system, which will facilitate the commercial use of its new 4th Generation train sets and the connection of LRT-1 existing line to the future system.
The NEDA ICC approved the LRT-1 Cavite Extension 22 years ago. Congress gave its first budget for right-of-way acquisition in 2007.
However, as of June 2016, not a single post has been built, and not a single train has even been ordered.
Furthermore, none of the required right-of-way has then been certified “free and clear” by the project’s independent consultant — a dismal status, considering that Congress gave the budget for this nine years earlier.
On September 2019, after catching up on right-of-way acquisition and its free and clear certification, as well as addressing a number of unresolved issues and constraints, the DOTr, together with the LRTA and LRMC, started actual construction works for the project.
Once completed, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension will reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite to 25 minutes, from 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Likewise, it will increase LRT-1’s capacity from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers daily.
The project will benefit the residents in Southern Metro Manila, the province of Cavite, and nearby areas.
Future stations are also integrated and better connected with public transport terminals.
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The article was originally published in Manila Bulletin and written by Emmie V. Abadilla.
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