New trains for LRT1 Cavite Extension arrive | 24 Oras

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday unveiled the first batch of new trains for the Light Rail Transit Line 1’s (LRT1) Cavite extension.

During the arrival ceremony, the four new trains were displayed to the public which comprise the first batch of 120 train cars from Spain and Mexico.

“Nineteen years ago, this project was started. So, under the Duterte Administration, we pushed and pushed hard. That is why today, we see the steps of the whole realization of this project--partial operability within this year, by accepting the trains and the cars,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa expressed support for the Duterte administration's programs.

“I served JICA as an Executive Senior Vice President for four years, so I share this same ardent passion with the DOTr leadership. Now that I’m here in this country, I made it my commitment to work closely with our friends from the Philippine government to achieve these infrastructure goals, together with JICA,” Koshikawa said.

Upon completion of the extension project, LRT1 is expected to connect Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite in just 25 minutes from the current travel time of one hour and 10 minutes.—LDF, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/773366/four-new-trains-for-lrt1-cavite-extension-arrive/story/

First batch of new trains unveiled for LRT-1 extension

The Department of Transportation on Tuesday unveiled a new LRT-1 train, which will be used for the railway's extension to Cavite. 

Four new trains arrived, which the operator of the LRT-1 said make up the first batch of the 120 new trains made in Spain and Mexico.

The 120 new trains will form 34 car train sets and can accommodate up to 750,000 passengers daily.

The Light Rail Manila Corp. said rights issues and the pandemic delayed the delivery of the trains from Spain.

More details to follow.

Report from Jacque Manabat, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/26/21/first-batch-of-new-trains-unveiled-for-lrt-1-extension

4th-gen trains for LRT-1 Cavite Extension arrive in PH

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz and Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

The first batch of fourth-generation train cars from Spain and Mexico to be used for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project arrived in the country on Tuesday, bringing the rail project closer to completion.

In a Facebook post, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the first batch, made up of eight train cars, was the first of a total of 120 train cars for the project.

During the arrival ceremony, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the project began 19 years ago but had “zero percent” of its right-of-way (ROW) certified as “free and clear” by an independent consultant in 2016 despite the ROW acquisition receiving its budget from Congress in 2007.

“Under the Duterte administration, we pushed and pushed hard. That is why today, we see the steps of the whole realization of this project – partial operability within this year, by accepting the trains and the cars,” Tugade said.

The project is a partnership among the DOTr, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Light Rail Transit Authority, the Light Rail Manila Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., Spanish rolling stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocariles (CAF), and CMX Consortium.

In the same event, Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa pledged to work closely with the Philippine government, citing the December 14 commitment made by Japanese Prime Minister Suga to support President Rodrigo Duterte's “Build, Build, Build” program.

"The strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines has proven that this pandemic is not a stumbling block that could stop us from reaching our destination. Japan is with the Philippines all the way and this unswerving support is very evident in the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program," Koshikawa said in a speech.

He said the fourth-generation train set manufactured by CAF is powered by select Japanese products and technology.

"(I) feel particularly upbeat about this Japan-Philippines-Spain trilateral cooperation. Our project contractor, Mitsubishi Corp., is working double time for the rehabilitation of LRT-1, and CAF’s rolling stock will surely be a vital component," Koshikawa said. "The arrival of the new light rail vehicles for Metro Manila’s LRT Line-1 signals a major uplift to its operations."

Once the project is completed, the LRT-1 will connect Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite, reducing travel time from one hour and 10 minutes to 25 minutes.

As of December 31, the project was 51.61-percent complete, with recent construction works, such as bored piling, pier/portal column works, and Manila International Airport station foundation works.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1128585

Maynilad reconfigures water pipelines

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has reconfigured some of its water pipelines, a move that will pave the way for several government infrastructure projects.

In a statement, the company said it has completed the realignment, replacement, and relocation of around 6.7 kilometers of water pipelines to help fast-track the implementation of several government infrastructure projects.

The reconfiguration of these primary and secondary pipelines was done in portions of Caloocan, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque, and Las Piñas to give way for ongoing construction works on new railways, drainage lines, and other vital installations.

These government projects include the construction of the Philippine National Railways North, MRT-7, and LRT-1 Extension.

“It is important to ensure that these vital government projects are not delayed. So we strive to support by accommodating requests to realign some of our existing pipelines, with due consideration to Maynilad customers whose water supply may be temporarily affected by such realignments, as well as to motorists who pass by our construction sites,” Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado said.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of the customer base.

It is the concessionaire of the MWSS for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in Cavite Province. 

https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/26/maynilad-reconfigures-water-pipelines/

DOTr: PNR Clark rail phase 1 in full swing

CLARK FREEPORT -- The construction of the PNR Clark from Malolos in Bulacan to Tutuban in Metro Manila is now in full swing, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

"With 24/7 work construction schedule, the much-awaited PNR Clark Phase 1 (Malolos to Tutuban) segment of the massive North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, is going full steam ahead, as we report an overall progress rate of 42.66 percent as of December 31, 2020," it said.

Amid the current pandemic, the construction works continue at an accelerated pace, under the strictest implementation of health protocols.

The DOTr cited the construction of temporary access roads, temporary bridges, temporary facilities, as well as the bored piling works, structural excavation works, and fabrication of precast segment.

This 38-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 1, is one of three segments of the NSCR Project, the centerpiece transport infrastructure of the "Build Build Build" program of the Duterte administration that will connect Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon under one railway network.

Upon completion, PNR Clark Phase 1 is projected to reduce the travel time from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes.

It is expected to partially operate by the end of this year upon the arrival of its first set of trains.

The NSCR is seen to significantly improve the connectivity and mobility of our riding public across region propelling the country's mass transportation systems to modern standards.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1883937/Pampanga/Local-News/DOTr-PNR-Clark-rail-phase-1-in-full-swing

Major rail projects to be undertaken this year

Major developments in the railway sector are set to take place this year as the government wants to forge ahead even with just more than a year left in the current administration.

Expanding and making the country’s rail network  more efficient are one of the solutions seen to help ease road traffic congestion being experienced in the metropolis.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade   over the weekend reported a slew of rail projects, which passengers would finally get the chance to experience within the year.

Tugade said the country’s first underground rail system would be partially operable by the end of the year with three initial stations.

Making this possible is the arrival in the country on Feb. 5 of the tunnel boring machines to be used for the P357-billion Metro Manila subway project.

A tunnel boring machine is a critical component in the development of the underground rail system as it will be used to dig underground and lay the tunnels.

The Metro Manila subway project will stretch across 36 kilometers and will have a total of 15 stations, crossing seven local governments, and passing three of Metro Manila’s business districts.

The project aims to reduce travel time from the Valenzuela depot to NAIA Terminal 3 to just 45 minutes from one hour and 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Tugade said the first batch of the fourth generation trains to be used in the LRT-1 system is set to arrive tomorrow.

Partial operability of the project that will extend the LRT-1 to Cavite is also expected by the end of the year.

Light Rail Manila Corp., the private operator of LRT-1, is working with Bouygues Travaux Publics as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor, to speed up the completion of the project, which will cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor from one hour and 10 minutes to just 25 minutes.

For the MRT-3, Tugade said full rehabilitation of the rail system would be completed by July. The completion is seen restoring the MRT-3 to its original high-grade design.

Two additional stations under the LRT-2 East Extension project, meanwhile, will be operational by April 26, according to the transport chief.

The MRT-7, a P63-billion project that will cut travel time from Manila to Bulacan to about 34 minutes once completed, is also scheduled for partial operations by December, and full operations by next year.

Tugade said Area A of the Unified Grand Central Station, also known as the Common Station, would have its partial operability by July and full operability by December.

Located at the north end of EDSA, the Common Station marks the intersection of four railway lines – LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and the Metro Manila Subway – which aims to provide a seamless transfer of passengers from one rail line to another.

Tugade said having an efficient rail system would help address traffic congestion in roads.

“It’s a mass transport. Once there is an efficient rail system, you will reduce the number of motor vehicles in the roads. Once the volume is reduced, won’t traffic improve?” he said.

Tugade, however, said the issue of traffic needs a holistic approach that could be addressed through a combination of infrastructure, facilities, process, ways of doing things, and discipline.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/01/25/2072722/major-rail-projects-be-undertaken-year