Construction of LRT1 extension to Cavite seen to start in 2 years

Asked if the Cavite leg of the 11.7-kilometer LRT1 Cavite Extension Project could begin construction in two years, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said, 'Yes.' File photo — ***Asked if the Cavite leg of the 11.7-kilometer LRT1 Cavite Extension Project could begin construction in two years, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said, ‘Yes.’ File photo***

The construction of the last three stations of Light Rail Transit Line 1’s (LRT1) extension all the way to Bacoor, Cavite, is expected to start within the next two years as the government moves to resolve right-of-way (ROW) issues hampering the project.

In an interview with reporters on Friday, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has so far acquired 94% of the ROW covering the alignment of LRT1 extension’s Cavite leg.

The Cavite leg or Phase 2 and 3 of the project includes the three remaining stations that have yet to be constructed, namely Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog.

Bautista said construction will be the responsibility of LRT1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).

“Of course, we will coordinate with them,” the Transportation chief said.

Asked if the Cavite leg of the 11.7-kilometer LRT1 Cavite Extension Project could begin construction in two years, Bautista said, “Yes.”

For his part, LRMC general manager Enrico Benipayo said the company is “now in a meeting with the DOTr to be able to start the construction.”

“In terms of right-of-way acquisition, I think based on the reports that we have received from the DOTr, I suppose they have had some headway,” Benipayo said.

The LRMC general manager is estimating the Cavite leg of the LRT1 extension project could be completed by 2031.

“Based on our experience… in terms of length of construction and the pre-activities prior to construction such as financial closure and then, of course, all the other prerequisites prior to construction. So we hope that by 2031, those [Phase 2 and 3] will be on the table,” Benipayo said.

Meanwhile, the LRT extension’s Phase 1, covering the first five additional stations spanning over six kilometers within the city of Parañaque, is slated for commercial operations by the fourth quarter of 2024 as completion rate reached 98.2% already.

The five stations under Phase 1 are currently at varying stages of completion with Redemptorist Station 97.4% complete, MIA Station at 97.2%, Asia World Station at 90.4%, Ninoy Aquino Station at 93.5%, and Dr. Santos Station at 97.7%.

Once fully operational, the entire 11.7-kilometer LRT1 Cavite Extension Project is seen to reduce travel time from Baclaran in Parañaque to Bacoor City in Cavite to 25 minutes.

The Line 1’s extension is expected to increase the elevated railway’s ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers. —KBK, GMA Integrated News

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The article was originally published in GMA News Online and written by Ted Coredero.