P8-billion loan to extend Line 2 to Antipolo sought

P8-billion loan to extend Line 2 to Antipolo sought

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is seeking P8 billion in loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to extend Line II or the Purple Line from Santolan to Cogeo, in Antipolo, Rizal.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the assistance from the Japanese government is in line with the country’s Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP), which seeks to accelerate infrastructure development.

Mendoza said the loan would be a new one with the same concessional terms as the previous one (Line II). It will have a two percent interest for three packages payable in 30 years with a 10-year grace period.

A feasibility study on the traffic volume, technical engineering, financial and technical feasibility of extending the LRT II project from Santolan all the way to Cogeo in Antipolo has already been validated.

The need to have an LRT line going to Cogeo has been decided to address the mass transit needs of the expanding population in Antipolo most of whom work in Metro Manila, according to Enrico Garcia, project manager of LRT II.

Under the LRT II network to the Rizal province, there are two alternative route options. The first alternative route will be along Marcos Highway to the junction of Sumulong Highway and Marcos Highway.

The proposed route alignment will occupy the median part of the Marcos Highway along its entire length.

The length of this route alignment is about 5.75 kilometers and could link the northeastern Rizal towns to Metro Manila through the Marikina-San Mateo-Montalban and the Taytay-Cainta-Pasig routes.

The second alternative will make use of the Sumulong Highway, passing through A. Bonifacio Avenue and Sumulong Highway in Marikina.

The DoTC study, however, said the Marcos Highway route is more viable based on technical engineering and cost consideration.

The study likewise noted that locating an LRT line through the Sumulong Highway would require substantial property acquisitions to give way to LRT carriageway structure, stations and utilities.

The main drawback identified on the Marcos Highway alignment is the heavy flooding in the area which could be aggravated during the construction.

Semi-elevated structures shall be adopted in depressed areas where flooding normally occurs. On the other hand, the at-grade level structures shall be used wherever possible being cheaper and easier to construct.

A total of three passenger stations are proposed – Rodriguez Avenue, Imelda Avenue and Sumulong Highway.

Similar to that of Line II, it will be constructed for a three-car train operation, but will include provisions for expanded fleet operations in the future.

In case an LRT system is constructed in the area, the rehabilitation of its drainage system would tend to push up the project’s capital cost.

DoTC’s study attested that the proposed extension of the LRT II to the eastern fringes is consistent with the urban growth strategy for Metro Manila.

The viability of the project was deemed within acceptable levels. This is expected to improve as feeder road links and other measures, including bus and jeepney route rationalization, are established.