The Light Rail Transit System (LRT) 2 is one of the most-used mode of transportation in the East. The East, which mostly comprises of municipalities in cities in Rizal, is a haven of students in Manila. This is why the LRT-2 stations extension project, led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is one of the most-awaited projects of the Administration.
The LRT-2 East stations extension project is actually a part of the Capacity Enhancement of the Mass Transit Systems in Metro Manila Project and has been duly financed by Japan with a staggering ¥43.2 billion governmental Yen-Credit.
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DM Consunji, a construction firm, said that they’ve began the installation of electromechanical systems for the Antipolo and Marikina LRT-2 stations extension; which means that the project is currently in its final stages as wanted by the Transportation Department.
Current status of the LRT-2
If you aren’t aware, the LRT-2 currently carries about 200,000 passengers. Yes, that’s how much the train ferries in a day. Adding other stations could exponentially increase this to as much as 50 percent of its total capacity.
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DMCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President Jorge Consunji explained that they’re in the process of installing power, rails, and communications; this is why they think they’ll meet the deadline.
Mag-install na kami ng rails, power, communications…Tingin namin kaya.”
In Translation: We will be installing rails, power, even communications.. We think it’s doable.
When is the deadline of the LRT-2 stations extension?
According to Consunji, DOT Secretary Arthur Tugade said that he wants the LRT-2 extension project to be finished by the last quarter of the year 2020. Having this said, it needs to be started either in the last quarter of this year until the first quarter of next year.
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Nevertheless, Consunji said that they’re in the move of installing the necessities to run the train and to establish the stations.
With the LRT-2 stations extension, the new stations which would be Masinag in Antipolo, Rizal, and Emerald in Marikina City, are expected to improve and handle at least 80,000 passengers on a daily basis in the first five (5) years of operation.
Furthermore, they said that this move would greatly aid in decongesting the infamous traffic that residents in Marikina City, Cainta, Rizal, and Antipolo, Rizal are currently experiencing.
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Current route of the LRT-2
For most of you who aren’t well-versed with the LRT-2 stations, the LRT-2 runs from west going to the east and passes along five (5) cities in the Metro; Santolan in Pasig to Recto in Manila.
Here are the stations of the LRT-2:
- Santolan (Start point)
- Katipunan
- Anonas
- Cubao
- Betty Go Belmonte
- Gilmore
- J. Ruiz
- V. Mapa
- Pureza
- Legarda
- Recto
The current project, which will run four (4) kilometers, would expand the routes that the current LRT-2 takes. The current one where the start-end point is Santolan in Pasig, would be Masinag in Antipolo, City (Marcos highway); more so, Emerald station, which would be in Marikina, would also be added.
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Part 3 of the LRT-2 stations extension project
Back in February of this year, the DOTr awarded and gave the contract for the installation and design of the electromechanical system and track works to the DMCI and Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese conglomerate, for the extension of the LRT-2.
With this, the “Package 3” of the LRT-2 extension project was formed and is now finally on its way.
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Package 1 is the part of the LRT-2 stations extension project that refers to the construction and building of bridge-like structures and viaducts that would carry the railways. Package 2, on the other hand, is the overall construction of both the Masinag and Emerald stations.
Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation is the one who is tasked to take care of the procurement of both the mechanical and electrical package; as well as the administration of the project.
DMCI, on the other hand, would be the company responsible for the operations side of the project; the construction, procurement, track-work, even the installation of the electromechanical system.
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Hopefully, the LRT-2 stations extension project would be sufficient in providing utmost and more-capable ways of commuting to the community. Not only would this very project help in containing and removing the infamous traffic that Metro Manila has, it can also help in the development and improvement of our country and can provide more jobs to those who need it.
Source: The Philippine Star
