|
Darwin G. Amojelar Reporter
THE construction of a rail system
from Monumento in Caloocan City to North Avenue in Quezon City has
started Tuesday, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said.
In a statement, LRTA
Administrator Melquiades Robles said the construction of the LRT
North extension is a timely response to the rising cost of fuel
currently pegged at P61 for gasoline and P55 for diesel.
Robles said, “I am very much
pleased that our North Extension Project has moved one step to
becoming a reality. The additional stations will be a great addition
to the community and will bring the much needed relief to the
traffic in the area.”
He said the LRT systems have
considerably tamed the unruly traffic condition in the area apart
from providing quick and convenient connections among different
districts in the metropolis.
“Riding the LRT is the most
efficient, fastest and cheapest way and proven more so with the
current fare among other modes of transportation,” Robles said.
The joint venture of D.M.
Consunji and First Balfour will undertake the LRT North Extension
project.
Estimated to cost around P6.4
billion, the project involves detailed design and construction of a
5.71-kilometer elevated line from Monumento station of LRT Line 1 to
North Avenue of Metro Rail Transit 3, two new intermediate stations
(Balintawak and Roosevelt) and a terminal station (Line 1 North
Avenue station).
The Balintawak station will
provide modal interchange with bus and jeepney services entering
Metro Manila from north via the North Luzon Expressway.
The total project cost is broken
down into P3.4 billion for civil and architectural works; P1.9
billion for electromechanical works, and P317.4 million for
consultancy services. A contingency fund of P318 million and P342.4
million for inflation adjustments have also been allocated.
The project has an average daily
ridership of 66.16 percent or a total of 535,558 passengers from the
current average of 361,432 passengers.
The LRT North Extension project
adds three stations to the existing LRT Line 1, starting at
Monumento Station of Line 1 and ending at the North Avenue Station
to close the EDSA Loop.
It is one of the priority
projects of President Arroyo under the Luzon Urban Beltway Super
Region.
|
