Cabinet okays construction of 7-M LRT to Cavite

The National Economic and Development Authority — Investment

Coordinating Committee (NEDA-ICC) cabinet committee gave the go signal this week for the start of the construction of a multi-billion peso mass rail transit system that is expected to immediately boost the economy and generate hundreds of jobs.

Approved last Wednesday was the Implementation Agreement between the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and SNC Lavalin of Canada for the construction of a 12-kilometer light rail transit system from Baclaran, Pasay City to Bacoor, Cavite City.

“The project is another concrete proof that foreign investors continue to have confidence in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the economy,” Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez said.

Alvarez said the project will have a ripple effect to the construction industry because of the big demand for construction materials and will generate hundreds of jobs among manual laborers, skilled workers and technical and non-technical personnel.

“This is another vital infrastructure project with high social benefits,” Alvarez said.

LRTA Administrator Teddy Cruz said the project would extend the existing LRT Line 1 southward to the cities of Parañaque and Las Piñas towards Bacoor on a 12-kilometer stretch.

“These areas are experiencing heavy traffic everyday, wasting previous man hour and affecting quality of life,” Cruz said.

He said once fully operational, the rail system is expected to reduce travel time, ease traffic congestion, increase people mobility, encourage economic growth, improve the environment and provide greater accessibility to employment activities.

Target date of completion of the phase from Baclaran to Dr. Santos Ave. in Sucat Parañaque is early 2004, Cruz said, adding “The rest of the line is expected to be completed in 2005.”

He said the system will be fully elevated and will utilize technology compatible with that of the existing Line 1 to permit through running of trains.

The train system would be able to accommodate 555,000 passengers per day in year 2002, Cruz said.

He believed that the project would be fasttracked considering that they have already initiated several right-of-way negotiations.

In the future, Cruz said the rail system would be extended by four kilometers to Imus (Phase 2) and another 11 kilometers to Dasmariñas (Phase 3).

The estimated capital cost for the project is US$847 million. Construction will start early next year and will continue for the next three-and-a-half years.

Cruz said the implementation agreement could be considered “a model government contract.”

“A series of joint meetings to review the contract was conducted by the NEDA-ICC Technical Working Group that resulted in seven revisions. The final agreement was the product of these meetings,” Cruz said.

He said the project is an integrated system, optimizing patron convenience, operational efficiency, cost economy and network connectivity.

The extension line will consist of 10 passenger stations and a satellite depot. The fleet of the Line 1 Extension will be 14 four-car trains.

SNC Lavalin’s transportation division is ISO 9001 certified and internationally recognized as a developer of rapid transit systems. (PNA)