Monday, February 7, 2022
LRMC completes viaduct of Cavite phase 1 extension
Light Rail Manila Corp. said Monday it completed the construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1 viaduct.
LRMC, along with contractor Bouygues Travaux Publics, started the civil works in September 2019 and installed pi-girders or chief horizontal support in a structure covering the entire stretch of Dr. A. Santos Station until Redemptorist Station in Paranaque City.
It said with the completion of the viaduct, electromechanical works involving the laying of the rails and the installation of the electrical system, and the construction of the stations would begin.
“LRMC is glad to welcome 2022 with this LRT-1 Cavite Extension accomplishment. With the support from our various partners in the public and private sectors, this project was able to achieve significant progress despite the limitations of the pandemic. Through our work in upgrading and extending the LRT-1 system, we hope to make a difference and improve the lives of future generations,” said LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso.
LRMC which took over the operations of LRT-1 in 2015, invested almost P25 billion for the rehabilitation of the existing system and construction of the Cavite extension project.
It also upgraded the line’s signaling system to facilitate the commercial use of 4th generation train sets and the connection of the LRT-1 existing line to the future system.
Phase 1 of the 11.7-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension project covers five stations at Dr. A Santos, Ninoy Aquino, Asiaworld, MIA, and Redemptorist. The completion rate for Phase 1 reached 67.5 percent as of end-2021.
Civil works for the viaduct used a special engineering method, a first for the Philippines, which allowed for faster execution, causing a minimal effect on the ground-level traffic.
The first pi-girder was installed using the above-ground launcher in September 2020. Since then, pi-girders continued to be installed every one to two days. A total of 203 pi-girders were installed using the above-ground launcher and on-ground equipment such as straddle carriers and cranes.
Once completed, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project is expected to serve commuters in Southern Metro Manila, the province of Cavite, and nearby areas.
Phase 1 is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
LRMC, contractor complete LRT-1 Cavite Extension viaduct
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
The viaduct for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Phase 1 has been completed by LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and project contractor Bouygues Travaux Publics (Bouygues).
In a statement on Monday, LRMC president and CEO Juan Alfonso thanked project partners in the government and private sectors, noting that the project achieved “significant progress” despite limitations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“LRMC is glad to welcome 2022 with this LRT-1 Cavite Extension accomplishment. I am proud of the commitment and sacrifice of all our teams, who displayed resilience amidst unsettling conditions and the determination to deliver with excellence,” Alfonso said.
During the ceremonial erection of the last span for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1, Transportation Arthur Tugade said the project would provide “mobility, connectivity, and convenience” to commuters in Cavite and the southern part of Metro Manila.
“20 years ago, the government had a vision of putting a Cavite extension for the LRT-1 line. This was just a dream 20 years ago,” Tugade said.
He thanked the LRMC for continuing the project’s construction amid the Covid-19 pandemic and for the “active” collaboration of the local government of Parañaque City.
“I think it’s just appropriate that we salute LRMC. Pinakita ninyo ang pangangailangan na talaga na maganda ang (You have shown the need for good) partnership between the local government, private sector, and the national government,” Tugade said.
Phase 1 of the 11.7-kilometer (km) LRT-1 Cavite Extension project covers a total of five stations—Dr. A. Santos, Ninoy Aquino, Asiaworld, MIA, and Redemptorist—is 67.5 percent complete as of end-December 2021, and is expected to be complete by March 2025.
The LRT-1 Cavite Extension—in its entirety—is a joint project of the Department of Transportation, the Light Rail Transit Authority, and the LRMC.
It will have eight stations connecting Baclaran in Parañaque City to Niog in Bacoor, Cavite, and is 61.60 percent complete as of December 2021.