The United Grand Central Station (UGCS) is set to cater to more than 1 million passengers every single day once it becomes operational.
During the contract signing for the design and build of ‘Area A,’ Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade claimed that the 13,700-sqm Common Station would be able to serve approximately 500,000 passengers daily upon completion.
The target completion of the Area A is by 2020 and for the entire Common Station by 2022.
Located at the north end of EDSA, the Common Station will connect the four railway lines–the LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and the Metro Manila Subway–for the easy transfer of passengers from one rail line to another.
Based on the DOTr’s statement, the Common Station will feature a transit area for the riding public and is operated by an automated fare collection system, which will give commuters better point-to-point mobility and comfort.
The signing ceremonies at the site was led by Tugade, alongside Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Reinier Paul Yebra. Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan signed the contract on behalf of the DOTr while Lucila Gomez signed as the authorized representative of the BF Corporation and Foresight Development and Surveying Company Consortium.
Tugade said that the target to build the Common Station started during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2009) but it was only in the first 100 days of President Rodrigo Duterte that all parties got involved and got to agree on a location.
While Area A is under the DOTr, the remaining areas such as B will be under Ayala Land Inc., and Area C under the MRT-7 Project facilitated by San Miguel Corporation (SMC). Since the groundbreaking in 2017, Ayala Land Inc. has started the construction of Area B.
Relatedly, the Tugade also announced the other projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ Program of the Duterte administration, such as the groundbreaking ceremony for the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) slated this Friday, February 15, and the groundbreaking of the Metro Manila Subway on February 26th .
“Groundbreaking is one thing. Completion of a project is another thing. If you do not complete the project with the quality expected and within the timeline formulated, I will hold you accountable in the books,” Tugade warned.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/united-grand-central-station-cater-010005609.html
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Gov't to launch PNR Clark Phase 1 project on Feb. 15
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announced on Wednesday that they are set to launch the Tutuban to Malolos portion of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project on Friday.
“This is again one project that has been long delayed. We will have a groundbreaking on Friday,” Tugade said during the contract signing for the design and build of a part of the Unified Grand Central Station or the common station which will connect the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) and the Metro Manila Subway.
The segment, known as the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1, will connect Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila to the city of Malolos in Bulacan.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 will have 10 stations spanning 38 kilometers and is expected to serve around 340,000 passengers daily once it starts operations in 2021.
“Travel to and from Bulacan is expected to reduce by 35 minutes from its current travel time of one and a half hours once PNR Clark Phase 1 is operational,” the DOTr said in a statement.
The department has selected Sumitomo-Mitsui Construction Co. Ltd. to build the rail line.
The 147-kilometer NSCR Project estimated to cost around PHP777.55 billion will have 36 stations from Clark International Airport to Los Baños, Laguna.
The railway project will connect PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) and the PNR Los Baños Project which will run from Manila to Los Baños.
The NSCR System will also link with existing railway lines LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 and the Metro Manila Subway.
The DOTr estimates the railway system to serve around 340,000 daily passengers once it starts partial operations in 2022 and daily ridership of 500,000 passengers once it becomes fully operational by 2023. (PNA)
www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061908
“This is again one project that has been long delayed. We will have a groundbreaking on Friday,” Tugade said during the contract signing for the design and build of a part of the Unified Grand Central Station or the common station which will connect the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) and the Metro Manila Subway.
The segment, known as the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1, will connect Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila to the city of Malolos in Bulacan.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 will have 10 stations spanning 38 kilometers and is expected to serve around 340,000 passengers daily once it starts operations in 2021.
“Travel to and from Bulacan is expected to reduce by 35 minutes from its current travel time of one and a half hours once PNR Clark Phase 1 is operational,” the DOTr said in a statement.
The department has selected Sumitomo-Mitsui Construction Co. Ltd. to build the rail line.
The 147-kilometer NSCR Project estimated to cost around PHP777.55 billion will have 36 stations from Clark International Airport to Los Baños, Laguna.
The railway project will connect PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) and the PNR Los Baños Project which will run from Manila to Los Baños.
The NSCR System will also link with existing railway lines LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 and the Metro Manila Subway.
The DOTr estimates the railway system to serve around 340,000 daily passengers once it starts partial operations in 2022 and daily ridership of 500,000 passengers once it becomes fully operational by 2023. (PNA)
www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061908
Sumitomo tapped to build commuter-train segment
THE government has tapped Japanese corporation Sumitomo Mitsui to build the northern segment of the North-South Commuter Railway, a P150-billion deal that will connect Tutuban, Manila, to Malolos, Bulacan.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the official development assistance (ODA)-funded project is scheduled for groundbreaking for Friday.
“This is one project that has long been pending. We will put it to life this Friday,” he said.
Envisioned to be a railway facility that will connect Tutuban and Malolos in roughly 35 minutes, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) North is a 38-kilometer mass transport system that will serve over 300,000 passenger per day.
It is expected to be completed in 2021.
“We have solved the problem with North Rail, who said they will not move forward with their case,” Tugade said, referring to the company that built segments of the botched railway project during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The PNR North will be integrated to PNR South, which will be a 72-kilometer mass transportation railway from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna. It will also be extended all the way to Clark to connect Manila to the Clark International Airport.
In a related development, Tugade said his group will be breaking ground for the Metro Manila Subway System within the month.
“I will be flying to Tokyo to inspect the boring machine on Tuesday, then fly out to Osaka for a high-level meeting. Once done, I will do that by February 26,” Tugade said.
The subway system involves the construction of 25 kilometers of rail that will connect Quezon City in the northern part of Metro Manila to Parañaque in the southern part. The underground mass transportation system will connect major business districts and government centers.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/02/14/sumitomo-tapped-to-build-commuter-train-segment/
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the official development assistance (ODA)-funded project is scheduled for groundbreaking for Friday.
“This is one project that has long been pending. We will put it to life this Friday,” he said.
Envisioned to be a railway facility that will connect Tutuban and Malolos in roughly 35 minutes, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) North is a 38-kilometer mass transport system that will serve over 300,000 passenger per day.
It is expected to be completed in 2021.
“We have solved the problem with North Rail, who said they will not move forward with their case,” Tugade said, referring to the company that built segments of the botched railway project during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The PNR North will be integrated to PNR South, which will be a 72-kilometer mass transportation railway from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna. It will also be extended all the way to Clark to connect Manila to the Clark International Airport.
In a related development, Tugade said his group will be breaking ground for the Metro Manila Subway System within the month.
“I will be flying to Tokyo to inspect the boring machine on Tuesday, then fly out to Osaka for a high-level meeting. Once done, I will do that by February 26,” Tugade said.
The subway system involves the construction of 25 kilometers of rail that will connect Quezon City in the northern part of Metro Manila to Parañaque in the southern part. The underground mass transportation system will connect major business districts and government centers.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/02/14/sumitomo-tapped-to-build-commuter-train-segment/
Luzon railway projects make significant progress
Major railway projects in Luzon are poised to make significant progress this month, according to top officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The DOTr signed yesterday the P2.8 billion design and build contract of the Unified Grand Central Station (UGCS) Area A with at consortium led by Marikina City Rep. Bayani Fernando.
The UGCS, also known as the common station, is designed to inter-link the four-railway lines namely, LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and the Metro Manila Subway.
It has three components, including Area A which covers the platform and concourse for LRT-1 and MRT-3, which will be financed and built by the DOTr.
Areas B and C will be developed and funded by Ayala and San Miguel Corp., respectively.
BF Corp.-Foresight Development and Surveying Co. consortium was awarded as the contractor for Area A through a negotiated bidding, following two failed biddings.
The consortium is targeting to complete the project in 20 months.
Transportation Secretary Tugade said the UGCS is expected to be finished and operational by the fourth quarter of next year.
Tugade said the project is still within schedule, but it could have been completed at an earlier time if not for the previous bidding failures for Area A.
Meanwhile, Tugade announced yesterday that construction of the PNR Clark Phase I, which will connect Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan would commence on Friday.
The Tutuban to Malolos portion is part of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project which will connect Central Luzon, Metro Manila and the Calabarzon region.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said Japans’ Sumitomo-Mitsui Construction Corp. has been tapped as contractor for the 38-km Tutuban-Malolos portion which will cover 10 stations.
PNR Clark Phase 2 of the NSCR will run from Malolos to Clark, Pampanga, while the PNR Los Baños Project will run from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna.
The DOTr said the project is expected to bring more jobs and business opportunities in Clark, Los Banos, and destinations in between.
The agency said around 350,000 passengers per day will benefit once partial operations begin in 2022, and 550,000 passengers once fully operational by 2023.
Aside from the two railway projects, Tugade said the long-awaited grounbreaking of the Metro Manila subway, a project which is expected to address traffic congestion in the metro, is also happening this month.
The project’s groundbreaking was earlier eyed last December and was later on moved to January.
Tugade said the delays were mostly due to scheduling issues of the parties involved.
“Next Tuesday I will be going to Tokyo to inspect the boring machine and then I’ll fly to Osaka for a high level meeting between the Philippines and the Japanese government,” he said.
The Metro Manila subway is a 35-kilometer line that will run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to NAIA in Pasay City.
Partial operations is eyed by 2022, which entails the opening of a training center, the depot, and three stations namely, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue.
With a total project cost of P356.96 billion, the subway is the biggest single project under the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/02/14/1893418/luzon-railway-projects-make-significant-progress
The DOTr signed yesterday the P2.8 billion design and build contract of the Unified Grand Central Station (UGCS) Area A with at consortium led by Marikina City Rep. Bayani Fernando.
The UGCS, also known as the common station, is designed to inter-link the four-railway lines namely, LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and the Metro Manila Subway.
It has three components, including Area A which covers the platform and concourse for LRT-1 and MRT-3, which will be financed and built by the DOTr.
Areas B and C will be developed and funded by Ayala and San Miguel Corp., respectively.
BF Corp.-Foresight Development and Surveying Co. consortium was awarded as the contractor for Area A through a negotiated bidding, following two failed biddings.
The consortium is targeting to complete the project in 20 months.
Transportation Secretary Tugade said the UGCS is expected to be finished and operational by the fourth quarter of next year.
Tugade said the project is still within schedule, but it could have been completed at an earlier time if not for the previous bidding failures for Area A.
Meanwhile, Tugade announced yesterday that construction of the PNR Clark Phase I, which will connect Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan would commence on Friday.
The Tutuban to Malolos portion is part of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project which will connect Central Luzon, Metro Manila and the Calabarzon region.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said Japans’ Sumitomo-Mitsui Construction Corp. has been tapped as contractor for the 38-km Tutuban-Malolos portion which will cover 10 stations.
PNR Clark Phase 2 of the NSCR will run from Malolos to Clark, Pampanga, while the PNR Los Baños Project will run from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna.
The DOTr said the project is expected to bring more jobs and business opportunities in Clark, Los Banos, and destinations in between.
The agency said around 350,000 passengers per day will benefit once partial operations begin in 2022, and 550,000 passengers once fully operational by 2023.
Aside from the two railway projects, Tugade said the long-awaited grounbreaking of the Metro Manila subway, a project which is expected to address traffic congestion in the metro, is also happening this month.
The project’s groundbreaking was earlier eyed last December and was later on moved to January.
Tugade said the delays were mostly due to scheduling issues of the parties involved.
“Next Tuesday I will be going to Tokyo to inspect the boring machine and then I’ll fly to Osaka for a high level meeting between the Philippines and the Japanese government,” he said.
The Metro Manila subway is a 35-kilometer line that will run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to NAIA in Pasay City.
Partial operations is eyed by 2022, which entails the opening of a training center, the depot, and three stations namely, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue.
With a total project cost of P356.96 billion, the subway is the biggest single project under the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/02/14/1893418/luzon-railway-projects-make-significant-progress
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
COMMON STATION | DOTr signs contract with private firms to build unified terminal
The Department of Transportation, BF Corporation and Foresight Development Surveying Corporation have signed a contract for the construction of the Unified Grand Central Terminal for MRT 3, LRT1, MRT 7 and the Metro Manila Subway.
The project which is set to be finished by the last quarter of 2020 will be located on the center of North Avenue to help passengers reach their various destinations easier.
The station will serve passengers coming from Taft Avenue in Manila for MRT 3, San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan for MRT 7, Baclaran in Manila for LRT 1, and Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City for Metro Manila Subway.
The common station was initially planned in 2006 to be linked to the Sy-led The Annex at SM City North EDSA in North Avenue, but the Supreme Court suspended its construction in August 2014 after SM Prime Holdings contested the location near Ayala-led Trinoma Mall.
Transportation spokesperson Cherrie Mercado explained then that SM acquired the naming rights to the station with a P200-million fee, but Trinoma later also paid 150 million for the same rights.
On September 28, 2016, both firms agreed to build the station between their malls on EDSA which was then followed by two failed biddings among contractors.
Now after over a decade, the transportation department, BF, and Foresight corporations are set to undertake the project but ask the public to be patient as they expect some inconveniences in completing the project.
“Ang challenges talaga natin dyan, traffic management ay number one. We have identified some obstructions, so yung coordination with different departments— the local governments, utilities—iyan yung pre-construction na dapat nating ma-address,” BF Corp. Engr. Lucenda Vergara said.
“Kung anuman ang gusto nating pagbabago na economic growth, meron kakambal at kaakibat na inconvenience iyan. Mamili po tayo: panandaliang hirap, temporary inconvenience, o pangmatagalang sagana,” Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade added.
http://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/common-station-dotr-signs-contract-with-private-firms-to-build-unified-terminal
The project which is set to be finished by the last quarter of 2020 will be located on the center of North Avenue to help passengers reach their various destinations easier.
The station will serve passengers coming from Taft Avenue in Manila for MRT 3, San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan for MRT 7, Baclaran in Manila for LRT 1, and Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City for Metro Manila Subway.
The common station was initially planned in 2006 to be linked to the Sy-led The Annex at SM City North EDSA in North Avenue, but the Supreme Court suspended its construction in August 2014 after SM Prime Holdings contested the location near Ayala-led Trinoma Mall.
LOOK | Pumirma na ng kasunduan ang transport officials at stakeholders ng pribadong sektor para sa pagtatayo ng Grand Central Terminal.— News5 AKSYON (@News5AKSYON) February 13, 2019
Gagawin ito sa parking area ng Trinoma sa North Ave. at magiging common station ng LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7 at Manila Subway. | via @gerarddelapena pic.twitter.com/eNF47WZBBL
Transportation spokesperson Cherrie Mercado explained then that SM acquired the naming rights to the station with a P200-million fee, but Trinoma later also paid 150 million for the same rights.
On September 28, 2016, both firms agreed to build the station between their malls on EDSA which was then followed by two failed biddings among contractors.
Now after over a decade, the transportation department, BF, and Foresight corporations are set to undertake the project but ask the public to be patient as they expect some inconveniences in completing the project.
“Ang challenges talaga natin dyan, traffic management ay number one. We have identified some obstructions, so yung coordination with different departments— the local governments, utilities—iyan yung pre-construction na dapat nating ma-address,” BF Corp. Engr. Lucenda Vergara said.
“Kung anuman ang gusto nating pagbabago na economic growth, meron kakambal at kaakibat na inconvenience iyan. Mamili po tayo: panandaliang hirap, temporary inconvenience, o pangmatagalang sagana,” Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade added.
http://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/common-station-dotr-signs-contract-with-private-firms-to-build-unified-terminal
Contracting arrangements finalized for common station
THE government signed on Wednesday an agreement with a contractor tasked to build the last component of the so-called Unified Grand Central Station — previously known as the common station for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, with the station due to open in late 2020.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the consortium of BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co. (BFC-FDSC) signed the P2.8-billion deal for Area A of the common station in North Avenue, Quezon City.
The common station will link four train lines: LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and eventually, the Metro Manila Subway. It will have three sections that are being built separately: Area A by BFC-FDSC, Area B by Ayala Corp. and Area C by San Miguel Corp., the concessionaire for the MRT-7 project.
DoTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said adding the subway to the train lines that are linked to the common station requires an expansion of the lot size of Area B, which will serve as the common concourse, from 7,000 square meters (sq.m.) to 14,000 sq. m.
“When we were planning for only three lines to connect with the common station, we estimated foot traffic at 500,000 in the opening year in 2020. (But the subway) means we need to accommodate 1.2 million passengers a day,” he said.
On the subway, Mr. Batan said department officials are scheduled to go to Japan next week to meet with the Japanese government to discuss the groundbreaking, originally scheduled for mid-January but moved due to “scheduling issues.”
“We’re coordinating with the Japanese on the scheduling. (But) they have started working on the design,” he said.
At the same event, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade announced that the department will groundbreak the Tutuban-Malolos portion of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) on Friday.
“On Friday, we will be inaugurating… the Tutuban-Malolos portion of the Tutuban-Clark Railway. This is again one project that has been long delayed,” he said.
Mr. Tugade said the department has arranged for Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd. to build the train line, which will run 38 kilometers from Manila to Bulacan with 10 stops.
Mr. Batan said the NSCR project costs P777.55 billion, covering the 56 kilometers from Calamba to Tutuban, 38 kilometers from Tutuban to Malolos and 53 kilometers from Malolos to Clark. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/contracting-arrangements-finalized-for-common-station/
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the consortium of BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co. (BFC-FDSC) signed the P2.8-billion deal for Area A of the common station in North Avenue, Quezon City.
The common station will link four train lines: LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and eventually, the Metro Manila Subway. It will have three sections that are being built separately: Area A by BFC-FDSC, Area B by Ayala Corp. and Area C by San Miguel Corp., the concessionaire for the MRT-7 project.
DoTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said adding the subway to the train lines that are linked to the common station requires an expansion of the lot size of Area B, which will serve as the common concourse, from 7,000 square meters (sq.m.) to 14,000 sq. m.
“When we were planning for only three lines to connect with the common station, we estimated foot traffic at 500,000 in the opening year in 2020. (But the subway) means we need to accommodate 1.2 million passengers a day,” he said.
On the subway, Mr. Batan said department officials are scheduled to go to Japan next week to meet with the Japanese government to discuss the groundbreaking, originally scheduled for mid-January but moved due to “scheduling issues.”
“We’re coordinating with the Japanese on the scheduling. (But) they have started working on the design,” he said.
At the same event, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade announced that the department will groundbreak the Tutuban-Malolos portion of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) on Friday.
“On Friday, we will be inaugurating… the Tutuban-Malolos portion of the Tutuban-Clark Railway. This is again one project that has been long delayed,” he said.
Mr. Tugade said the department has arranged for Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd. to build the train line, which will run 38 kilometers from Manila to Bulacan with 10 stops.
Mr. Batan said the NSCR project costs P777.55 billion, covering the 56 kilometers from Calamba to Tutuban, 38 kilometers from Tutuban to Malolos and 53 kilometers from Malolos to Clark. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/contracting-arrangements-finalized-for-common-station/
DOTr inks deal on common station construction
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday signed a contract with a private consortium for the construction of Area A of the Unified Grand Central Station (UGCS) or the common station which is located between SM North Edsa and Trinoma in Quezon City.
The DOTr signed the contract with BF Corporation and Foresight Development and Surveying Company (FDSC) Consortium which will be in charge of the construction of Area A of the common station.
“The common station aims to ensure an integrated, interoperable, and intermodal system that will ensure comfort and convenience for our commuters,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said in an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the contract signing at the construction site of the common station in Quezon City.
The common station aims to connect the major railway systems in Metro Manila-- the Light Rail Transit Line (LRT-1), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) and the Metro Manila Subway which will enable passengers to seamlessly transfer from one rail line to another.
The common station which will have a 13,000 square meter concourse will consist of three components which will connect LRT-1, MRT-3 and MRT-7.
Area A, estimated to cost around PHP2.7 billion will cover the platforms for LRT-1 and MRT-3 to be handled by the DOTr.
BF Corporation-FDSC Consortium has committed to complete the construction of Area A by October next year.
“As per contract, this project shall be completed in 20 months. By Valentine’s next year, we should be completing physically the project maybe 60 percent or more in physical progress. Our completion is by October 2020,” BF Corporation general manager Lucenda Vergara said.
Area B, which will connect Areas A and B, will be built by North Triangle Depot Commercial Corporation (NTDCC), an affiliate of Ayala Land while Area C which covers the platform for MRT-7 is still being constructed by the San Miguel Corporation.
The Ayala Land has committed to finish the construction of Area B by next year, according to the DOTr.
Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan Jr. said the department is eyeing the operations of the common station to start by the end of 2020.
“As much as possible we want them to be open at the same time by the end of 2020,” Batan said.
The common station is expected to serve around 500,000 passengers daily upon its completion.
It is a joint project of the DOTr, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Universal LRT Corporation Limited of the San Miguel Corporation, Light Rail Manila Corporation, North Triangle Depot Commercial Corporation, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Light Rail Transit Authority.
A memorandum of agreement was signed by the government, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, SMPH Director Hans T. Sy, Ayala Corp. chief executive officer Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang on January 2017 which ended the eight-year impasse over its location. (With reports from Irish Cana, OJT/PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061843
The DOTr signed the contract with BF Corporation and Foresight Development and Surveying Company (FDSC) Consortium which will be in charge of the construction of Area A of the common station.
“The common station aims to ensure an integrated, interoperable, and intermodal system that will ensure comfort and convenience for our commuters,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said in an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the contract signing at the construction site of the common station in Quezon City.
The common station aims to connect the major railway systems in Metro Manila-- the Light Rail Transit Line (LRT-1), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) and the Metro Manila Subway which will enable passengers to seamlessly transfer from one rail line to another.
The common station which will have a 13,000 square meter concourse will consist of three components which will connect LRT-1, MRT-3 and MRT-7.
Area A, estimated to cost around PHP2.7 billion will cover the platforms for LRT-1 and MRT-3 to be handled by the DOTr.
BF Corporation-FDSC Consortium has committed to complete the construction of Area A by October next year.
“As per contract, this project shall be completed in 20 months. By Valentine’s next year, we should be completing physically the project maybe 60 percent or more in physical progress. Our completion is by October 2020,” BF Corporation general manager Lucenda Vergara said.
Area B, which will connect Areas A and B, will be built by North Triangle Depot Commercial Corporation (NTDCC), an affiliate of Ayala Land while Area C which covers the platform for MRT-7 is still being constructed by the San Miguel Corporation.
The Ayala Land has committed to finish the construction of Area B by next year, according to the DOTr.
Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan Jr. said the department is eyeing the operations of the common station to start by the end of 2020.
“As much as possible we want them to be open at the same time by the end of 2020,” Batan said.
The common station is expected to serve around 500,000 passengers daily upon its completion.
It is a joint project of the DOTr, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Universal LRT Corporation Limited of the San Miguel Corporation, Light Rail Manila Corporation, North Triangle Depot Commercial Corporation, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Light Rail Transit Authority.
A memorandum of agreement was signed by the government, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, SMPH Director Hans T. Sy, Ayala Corp. chief executive officer Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang on January 2017 which ended the eight-year impasse over its location. (With reports from Irish Cana, OJT/PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061843
Contract signed for EDSA side of MRT-LRT common station
Common Area A, which will link the LRT1 and the MRT3, will be operational by October 2020, says the private builder
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday, February 13, inked an agreement with a private builder for the construction of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit (MRT-LRT) common station's Area A facing EDSA.
Dubbed the Unified Grand Central Station, the 13,700-square-meter common station will have 3 areas linking LRT Line 1, MRT Lines 3 and 7, and the planned Metro Manila Subway.
Present at the signing on Wednesday were Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Railways Undersecretary Timothy John Batan, and Lucila Gomez of the BF Corporation-Foresight Development and Surveying Company (FDSC) Consortium.
BF Corporation-FDSC Consortium will be building Area A, where the platform and the concourse for the LRT1 and MRT3 will be located. Batan said the contract amounts to about P2.8 billion.
Gomez said they target to complete Area A within 20 months or by October 2020.
Transfer from Area A to Area B will take roughly 35 seconds for the 48-meter distance, Batan said.
When will the Unified Grand Central Station be operational? Batan told reporters that they are eyeing full operations for the common station by the end of 2020.
"As much as possible, we want them to open end of 2020," he said.
Area B, which will connect Areas A and C, will be built by North Triangle Depot Commercial Corporation, an affiliate of Ayala Land. Area C will cover the platform for the MRT7, which is still being constructed.
But Batan explained that due to legal issues stalling the construction of the MRT7 depot, structures for Area C "maybe there" but there are no guarantees that it would be operational by the end of 2020. The DOTr is eyeing 2022 at the latest.
"All the 23 kilometers of MRT7 can be completed, but without the depot, it can't operate. All the [train] cars are still in Korea," Batan told reporters.
Meanwhile, Tugade said on Wednesday that Ayala Land "committed" to finishing Area B next year as well.
In 2017, the construction of the common station's Area B had begun, after being delayed for 10 years.
The legal battle stemmed from the location of the station, which is sure to generate plenty of foot traffic. An agreement was reached in 2016 to place the common station between SM North EDSA and Ayala's TriNoma.
The common station, expected to serve around 500,000 passengers daily, will provide commuters seamless transfer from one railway line to another.
https://www.rappler.com/business/223403-dotr-bf-corporation-sign-contract-edsa-side-mrt-lrt-common-station-february-2019
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday, February 13, inked an agreement with a private builder for the construction of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit (MRT-LRT) common station's Area A facing EDSA.
Dubbed the Unified Grand Central Station, the 13,700-square-meter common station will have 3 areas linking LRT Line 1, MRT Lines 3 and 7, and the planned Metro Manila Subway.
Present at the signing on Wednesday were Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Railways Undersecretary Timothy John Batan, and Lucila Gomez of the BF Corporation-Foresight Development and Surveying Company (FDSC) Consortium.
BF Corporation-FDSC Consortium will be building Area A, where the platform and the concourse for the LRT1 and MRT3 will be located. Batan said the contract amounts to about P2.8 billion.
Gomez said they target to complete Area A within 20 months or by October 2020.
Transfer from Area A to Area B will take roughly 35 seconds for the 48-meter distance, Batan said.
When will the Unified Grand Central Station be operational? Batan told reporters that they are eyeing full operations for the common station by the end of 2020.
"As much as possible, we want them to open end of 2020," he said.
Area B, which will connect Areas A and C, will be built by North Triangle Depot Commercial Corporation, an affiliate of Ayala Land. Area C will cover the platform for the MRT7, which is still being constructed.
But Batan explained that due to legal issues stalling the construction of the MRT7 depot, structures for Area C "maybe there" but there are no guarantees that it would be operational by the end of 2020. The DOTr is eyeing 2022 at the latest.
"All the 23 kilometers of MRT7 can be completed, but without the depot, it can't operate. All the [train] cars are still in Korea," Batan told reporters.
Meanwhile, Tugade said on Wednesday that Ayala Land "committed" to finishing Area B next year as well.
In 2017, the construction of the common station's Area B had begun, after being delayed for 10 years.
The legal battle stemmed from the location of the station, which is sure to generate plenty of foot traffic. An agreement was reached in 2016 to place the common station between SM North EDSA and Ayala's TriNoma.
The common station, expected to serve around 500,000 passengers daily, will provide commuters seamless transfer from one railway line to another.
https://www.rappler.com/business/223403-dotr-bf-corporation-sign-contract-edsa-side-mrt-lrt-common-station-february-2019
Sunday, February 10, 2019
SMC on track to complete Skyway Stage 3 by year-end
San Miguel Corp.(SMC) said it expects to complete the construction of the Skyway Stage 3 by December this year, a company official said.
“Yes, we’re optimistic we can finish it by end 2019,” SMC deputy project manager for Skyway Stage 3 Alex Solomon told reporters Friday.
The Skyway Stage 3 is the elevated road project of SMC unit Citra Central Expressway Corp. (CCEC) that will connect SLEX and NLEX from Buendia in Makati to Bagong Barrio in Caloocan crossing the EDSA Balintawak cloverleaf.
Solomon said the company previously encountered delays in the construction of the project mainly due to right of way issues and the transfer of electricity lines of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).
He added the company has added more workers for the project to hasten the completion of the project.
Solomon said total budget for the project now stands at P46 billion.
In line with the completion of the Skyway Stage 3, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and NLEX Corp. said they will implement a major traffic rerouting plan so that CCEC can proceed with the full-blast construction of its Skyway Stage 3 project in certain portions of NLEX Balintawak this month.
“We are appealing for the patience and understanding of the public, but we are also assuring them that MMDA, NLEX and Skyway teams will exert all efforts to minimize travel delays despite the ongoing construction,” MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said.
For his part, NLEX Corp. chief operating officer Raul Ignacio also expressed support for the project.
NLEX is extending its support to the project aimed at solving traffic congestion in Metro Manila as it is also one with the government in improving the country’s transport and logistics industry,” he said.
CCEC said construction works will be conducted on a kilometer stretch of NLEX Balintawak. This will affect traffic in Balintawak Cloverleaf, Camachile and Bagong Barrio, including the East and West Service Roads.
“To ensure smooth flow of traffic within this area, certain areas of NLEX Balintawak were widened,” NLEX said in a statement.
Under the major traffic rerouting plan, which will be implemented starting, 11 p.m. today until the end of the year, those coming from NLEX going to Quezon City may use Smart Connect Interchange heading to Mindanao Avenue. At the Mindanao Avenue intersection, turn right going to Quezon City to destination.
Meanwhile, private cars, vans, PUJs from Quirino Highway bound for EDSA via Camachile are advised to head to Camachile Flyover, turn right towards West Service Road then turn right at EDSA.
For PUJs, take a U-turn at Biglang Awa, turn right at Cloverleaf to A. Bonifacio (to Blumentritt) or take the southeast loop to return to Novaliches.
As trucks from Quirino Highway going to A. Bonifacio will not be allowed at Camachile, they are advised to head toward Mindanao Avenue then turn left at NLEX Mindanao entry going to Smart Connect Interchange toward NLEX southbound.The same scheme goes for trucks from Congressional to A. Bonifacio/Port Area.
For private cars and vans from EDSA Muñoz to Port Area, head to Monumento crossing Balintawak Cloverleaf, turn left at De Jesus Street, head straight to C3 then at the C3 intersection, turn right to Port Area.
Aside from closing some lanes at NLEX Balintawak, the plan also includes closing the ramp from EDSA northbound to A. Bonifacio.
The NLEX management pointed out that private vehicles from NLEX going to Balintawak southbound will have the option to choose their preferred routes, PUJs and UV Express units will follow their specific routes, while buses will keep on their designated franchise routes.On the other hand, trucks coming from NLEX will not be rerouted.
The MMDA and NLEX, in close coordination with CCEC and local government units, guarantee that traffic patrol officers and marshals will be deployed to manage the flow of vehicles within the construction area and alternate routes.
Directional traffic signs will also be put up at strategic locations to better guide motorists. Real-time traffic updates at the NLEX will be posted on electronic variable message signs and announced via social media accounts.
“We are hoping that with all these preparations in place, our motorists and commuters can plan their trips ahead and reach their destinations safe and on time,” Garcia said.
The Skyway Stage 3 is a six-lane elevated expressway in Metro Manila extending 17.54 kilometers from Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City.
The project is divided into five segments: 3.76 km from Buendia Avenue to Quirino Avenue; 0.96 km from Quirino Avenue to Tomas Claudio Street; 3.93 km from Tomas Claudio Street to Aurora Boulevard; 2.71 km from Aurora Boulevard to Quezon Avenue; 4.46 km from Quezon Avenue to A. Bonifacio Avenue and 1.56 km from A. Bonifacio Avenue to North Luzon Expressway.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/02/10/1892310/smc-track-complete-skyway-stage-3-year-end
“Yes, we’re optimistic we can finish it by end 2019,” SMC deputy project manager for Skyway Stage 3 Alex Solomon told reporters Friday.
The Skyway Stage 3 is the elevated road project of SMC unit Citra Central Expressway Corp. (CCEC) that will connect SLEX and NLEX from Buendia in Makati to Bagong Barrio in Caloocan crossing the EDSA Balintawak cloverleaf.
Solomon said the company previously encountered delays in the construction of the project mainly due to right of way issues and the transfer of electricity lines of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).
He added the company has added more workers for the project to hasten the completion of the project.
Solomon said total budget for the project now stands at P46 billion.
In line with the completion of the Skyway Stage 3, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and NLEX Corp. said they will implement a major traffic rerouting plan so that CCEC can proceed with the full-blast construction of its Skyway Stage 3 project in certain portions of NLEX Balintawak this month.
“We are appealing for the patience and understanding of the public, but we are also assuring them that MMDA, NLEX and Skyway teams will exert all efforts to minimize travel delays despite the ongoing construction,” MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said.
For his part, NLEX Corp. chief operating officer Raul Ignacio also expressed support for the project.
NLEX is extending its support to the project aimed at solving traffic congestion in Metro Manila as it is also one with the government in improving the country’s transport and logistics industry,” he said.
CCEC said construction works will be conducted on a kilometer stretch of NLEX Balintawak. This will affect traffic in Balintawak Cloverleaf, Camachile and Bagong Barrio, including the East and West Service Roads.
“To ensure smooth flow of traffic within this area, certain areas of NLEX Balintawak were widened,” NLEX said in a statement.
Under the major traffic rerouting plan, which will be implemented starting, 11 p.m. today until the end of the year, those coming from NLEX going to Quezon City may use Smart Connect Interchange heading to Mindanao Avenue. At the Mindanao Avenue intersection, turn right going to Quezon City to destination.
Meanwhile, private cars, vans, PUJs from Quirino Highway bound for EDSA via Camachile are advised to head to Camachile Flyover, turn right towards West Service Road then turn right at EDSA.
For PUJs, take a U-turn at Biglang Awa, turn right at Cloverleaf to A. Bonifacio (to Blumentritt) or take the southeast loop to return to Novaliches.
As trucks from Quirino Highway going to A. Bonifacio will not be allowed at Camachile, they are advised to head toward Mindanao Avenue then turn left at NLEX Mindanao entry going to Smart Connect Interchange toward NLEX southbound.The same scheme goes for trucks from Congressional to A. Bonifacio/Port Area.
For private cars and vans from EDSA Muñoz to Port Area, head to Monumento crossing Balintawak Cloverleaf, turn left at De Jesus Street, head straight to C3 then at the C3 intersection, turn right to Port Area.
Aside from closing some lanes at NLEX Balintawak, the plan also includes closing the ramp from EDSA northbound to A. Bonifacio.
The NLEX management pointed out that private vehicles from NLEX going to Balintawak southbound will have the option to choose their preferred routes, PUJs and UV Express units will follow their specific routes, while buses will keep on their designated franchise routes.On the other hand, trucks coming from NLEX will not be rerouted.
The MMDA and NLEX, in close coordination with CCEC and local government units, guarantee that traffic patrol officers and marshals will be deployed to manage the flow of vehicles within the construction area and alternate routes.
Directional traffic signs will also be put up at strategic locations to better guide motorists. Real-time traffic updates at the NLEX will be posted on electronic variable message signs and announced via social media accounts.
“We are hoping that with all these preparations in place, our motorists and commuters can plan their trips ahead and reach their destinations safe and on time,” Garcia said.
The Skyway Stage 3 is a six-lane elevated expressway in Metro Manila extending 17.54 kilometers from Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City.
The project is divided into five segments: 3.76 km from Buendia Avenue to Quirino Avenue; 0.96 km from Quirino Avenue to Tomas Claudio Street; 3.93 km from Tomas Claudio Street to Aurora Boulevard; 2.71 km from Aurora Boulevard to Quezon Avenue; 4.46 km from Quezon Avenue to A. Bonifacio Avenue and 1.56 km from A. Bonifacio Avenue to North Luzon Expressway.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/02/10/1892310/smc-track-complete-skyway-stage-3-year-end
Friday, February 1, 2019
LRT1 operator says Cavite extension works to start mid-2018
Construction of the P64-billion Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) extension from Baclaran in Parañaque City to Bacoor, Cavite is targeted to commence sometime in the middle of 2018, operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) said Thursday.
In May 2017, LRMC and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) broke ground for the LRT1 Cavite extension project.
“Our guess right now? I think we want the actual construction to start by the middle of this year,” LRMC president and CEO Juan Alfonso told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City.
Clear the actual path for the construction and addressing right-of-way issues are taking more time, Alfonso noted. “We still have things that we’re trying to iron out in our right or way,” he said.
“It’s really clearing the path for actual construction, whether its residence or utility lines,” he added.
LRMC and French engineering, procurement, construction contractor Bouyges Travaux Publics are now about to enter the “detailed design phase” of the project.
LRT1 Cavite extension is a government and private sector initiative to extend the mass rail system’s reach by adding eight stations straddling 11 kilometers through cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor.
The new stations are Aseana, Manila International Airport, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos in Parañaque City; Las Piñas and Zapote in Las Piñas City, and Niog in Bacoor.
To be completed in the last quarter of 2021, the extension is expected to accommodate 410,000 passengers a day in its opening year. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/641795/lrt1-operator-says-cavite-extension-works-to-start-mid-2018/story/
In May 2017, LRMC and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) broke ground for the LRT1 Cavite extension project.
“Our guess right now? I think we want the actual construction to start by the middle of this year,” LRMC president and CEO Juan Alfonso told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City.
Clear the actual path for the construction and addressing right-of-way issues are taking more time, Alfonso noted. “We still have things that we’re trying to iron out in our right or way,” he said.
“It’s really clearing the path for actual construction, whether its residence or utility lines,” he added.
LRMC and French engineering, procurement, construction contractor Bouyges Travaux Publics are now about to enter the “detailed design phase” of the project.
LRT1 Cavite extension is a government and private sector initiative to extend the mass rail system’s reach by adding eight stations straddling 11 kilometers through cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor.
The new stations are Aseana, Manila International Airport, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos in Parañaque City; Las Piñas and Zapote in Las Piñas City, and Niog in Bacoor.
To be completed in the last quarter of 2021, the extension is expected to accommodate 410,000 passengers a day in its opening year. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/641795/lrt1-operator-says-cavite-extension-works-to-start-mid-2018/story/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)