THE construction of Area A of the common station project in North Avenue, Quezon City is expected to begin this month, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said.
Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said the Ayala Corp. has completed Area B, where the concourses connecting Areas A and C of the common station project are located.
“Area B, tapos na ’yun (that’s done). For Area A, construction works will begin already, alam ko maghuhukay na ’yan sila sa EDSA by February or March (They’ll be digging on EDSA by February or March),” he told BusinessWorld in a recent interview.
BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co. (BFC-FDSC) will construct Area A, where the platform and concourse for the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 is to be located.
“They are in the process of completing their submission of the detailed engineering design, but since (the contract is) design-build, construction works will begin already,” Mr. Batan added.
The common station project aims to link four commuter train lines: LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and eventually, the Metro Manila Subway.
Area A, Mr. Batan said, is targeted for completion by the first quarter of 2021.
San Miguel Corp. is in charge of the construction of Area C, where the platform for MRT-7 is located.
“2021 ang partial operations ng MRT-7 (MRT-7 is targeted for partial operations in 2021); so we expect that by 2021, Areas A, B and C should all be completed and ready,” Mr. Batan said.
In January 2017, the government and private companies involved in the project signed a memorandum of agreement after years of deadlock on the matter of the common station’s location.
The agreement was signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade; Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar; Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan; SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Director Hans T. Sy; Ayala Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jaime Zobel de Ayala; and San Miguel Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang.
Under the agreement, the common station will be built at a compromise site near the original 2009 site in front of SM Annex (North EDSA) and the 2014 location near Ayala-owned TriNoma Mall.
https://www.bworldonline.com/common-stations-area-a-to-start-construction-soon/
Monday, February 10, 2020
NLEX pushes P20 billion Phase 3 plan
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is keen on pursuing the third phase of its North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) project, a P20-billion toll road that would support the increase in economic activities in Pampanga, Zambales and Bataan.
The planned extension is a 40-kilometer expressway that would extend NLEX to Bataan.
MPTC president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco said the project is part of the concession awarded to MPTC unit NLEX Corp. in 1998.
“That is part of the concession agreement but we haven’t started it yet. In the concession it says it starts in Apalit and will go westward to Subic direction. The initial contemplation was it would connect to Subic-Tipo, but as you know the Tipo to Dinalupihan was already constructed via SCTEX so maybe we’ll just need to connect now to Dinalupihan,” he said.
Franco said MPTC is keen on pushing through with the NLEX Phase 3, but a new alignment for the project would have to be finalized first.
“Yes we plan to pursue it, in due time,” Franco said.
“We’re hoping that the final alignment will be approved. The project will be given the greenlight, and then the right of way acquisition will commence,” he said.
Franco said it is possible for the project to start in the near term, but construction could take time given because of design and right of way acquisition considerations. The project will be passing through a mountainous terrain.
Nonetheless, the MPTC official believes the project is a must.
“It’s implementation was also pushed back because SCTEX partially served that corridor already, but we think eventually we still need it, specially when Clark develops and that portion becomes more active. Along the way it would also pass through areas like Guagua and Lubao which are also very important and rapidly developing,” Franco said.
“Eventually there will be more economic activity in Subic. And also, don’t forget Bataan is going to develop with its export processing zone so that road will actually shorten travel time to Bataan,” he said.
NLEX is part of the portfolio of projects of MPTC, the tollways arm of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investment Corp.
NLEX is currently implementing P7.7 billion worth of projects to help alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila and key areas of the NLEX-SCTEX network.
The projects under construction include new interchanges, bridges, and expressway lanes.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/02/10/1991749/nlex-pushes-p20-billion-phase-3-plan
The planned extension is a 40-kilometer expressway that would extend NLEX to Bataan.
MPTC president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco said the project is part of the concession awarded to MPTC unit NLEX Corp. in 1998.
“That is part of the concession agreement but we haven’t started it yet. In the concession it says it starts in Apalit and will go westward to Subic direction. The initial contemplation was it would connect to Subic-Tipo, but as you know the Tipo to Dinalupihan was already constructed via SCTEX so maybe we’ll just need to connect now to Dinalupihan,” he said.
Franco said MPTC is keen on pushing through with the NLEX Phase 3, but a new alignment for the project would have to be finalized first.
“Yes we plan to pursue it, in due time,” Franco said.
“We’re hoping that the final alignment will be approved. The project will be given the greenlight, and then the right of way acquisition will commence,” he said.
Franco said it is possible for the project to start in the near term, but construction could take time given because of design and right of way acquisition considerations. The project will be passing through a mountainous terrain.
Nonetheless, the MPTC official believes the project is a must.
“It’s implementation was also pushed back because SCTEX partially served that corridor already, but we think eventually we still need it, specially when Clark develops and that portion becomes more active. Along the way it would also pass through areas like Guagua and Lubao which are also very important and rapidly developing,” Franco said.
“Eventually there will be more economic activity in Subic. And also, don’t forget Bataan is going to develop with its export processing zone so that road will actually shorten travel time to Bataan,” he said.
NLEX is part of the portfolio of projects of MPTC, the tollways arm of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investment Corp.
NLEX is currently implementing P7.7 billion worth of projects to help alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila and key areas of the NLEX-SCTEX network.
The projects under construction include new interchanges, bridges, and expressway lanes.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/02/10/1991749/nlex-pushes-p20-billion-phase-3-plan
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Meralco’s relocation projects to cost P14b
Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity in Metro Manila, is seeking approval to implement several contingency projects costing totaling P14.21 billion to relocate electrical facilities affected by the Build Build Build program of the Department of Transportation.
Meralco, in a filing with the Energy Regulatory Commission, said the projects include the Common Station Project at a cost of P55.355 million, Metro Manila Station Project–Phase 1 (P1 billion), North-South Commuter Railway System through PNR North 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) at P1.44 billion, PNR North 2 (Malolos-Clark) at P310.322 million, PNR South Commuter (Tutuban-Los Banos) at P2.048 billion and PNR South Long Haul (Manila-Sorsogon-Batangas) at P5.11 billion.
“It is necessary that the construction and implementation of the Meralco projects shall follow the schedule of the relocation of the affected facilities and that both be completed within their respective target dates, to avoid unnecessary costs and resources and to ensure that the implementation of both the relocation of the affected facilities and the Meralco facilities is economically viable and optimal,” Meralco said.
https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/316761
Meralco, in a filing with the Energy Regulatory Commission, said the projects include the Common Station Project at a cost of P55.355 million, Metro Manila Station Project–Phase 1 (P1 billion), North-South Commuter Railway System through PNR North 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) at P1.44 billion, PNR North 2 (Malolos-Clark) at P310.322 million, PNR South Commuter (Tutuban-Los Banos) at P2.048 billion and PNR South Long Haul (Manila-Sorsogon-Batangas) at P5.11 billion.
“It is necessary that the construction and implementation of the Meralco projects shall follow the schedule of the relocation of the affected facilities and that both be completed within their respective target dates, to avoid unnecessary costs and resources and to ensure that the implementation of both the relocation of the affected facilities and the Meralco facilities is economically viable and optimal,” Meralco said.
https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/316761
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
LRT-2 to resume Santolan to Anonas run by end of June 2020 — DOTr
The Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2) line is expected to resume its Santolan to Anonas run after the repair on the line’s fire-damaged power rectifier is expected to be finished by end of June this year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced.
“In a related development, we wish to inform the public that after a highly-technical intervention, the currently suspended operations from Santolan to Anonas is expected TO RESUME by the end of June 2020,” the DOTr management said in a statement. The target date is a month earlier than the expected nine-month closure as previously disclosed by Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) spokesperson Hernando Cabrera in October last year.
The DOTr also disclosed that the government has procured the needed equipment for the line’s repair. It also noted that the “delivery, installation and testing” of the equipment will require a “significant repair period.”
To recall, the power rectifier tripped and caught fire between the Santolan and Katipunan stations of the line. The fire prompted the LRTA, which manages the LRT-2 line, to implement partial operations and shut down the line’s Santolan, Katipunan, and Anonas stations.
At present, the LRT-2 starts operation at 5 a.m. from the Cubao Station in Quezon City to the C.M. Recto Avenue Station in Manila and vice versa.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1223989/operations-of-lrt-2-santolan-to-anonas-stations-to-resume-by-end-of-june-2020-dotr
“In a related development, we wish to inform the public that after a highly-technical intervention, the currently suspended operations from Santolan to Anonas is expected TO RESUME by the end of June 2020,” the DOTr management said in a statement. The target date is a month earlier than the expected nine-month closure as previously disclosed by Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) spokesperson Hernando Cabrera in October last year.
The DOTr also disclosed that the government has procured the needed equipment for the line’s repair. It also noted that the “delivery, installation and testing” of the equipment will require a “significant repair period.”
To recall, the power rectifier tripped and caught fire between the Santolan and Katipunan stations of the line. The fire prompted the LRTA, which manages the LRT-2 line, to implement partial operations and shut down the line’s Santolan, Katipunan, and Anonas stations.
At present, the LRT-2 starts operation at 5 a.m. from the Cubao Station in Quezon City to the C.M. Recto Avenue Station in Manila and vice versa.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1223989/operations-of-lrt-2-santolan-to-anonas-stations-to-resume-by-end-of-june-2020-dotr
Thursday, January 30, 2020
NEDA Board OK’s P548-B projects
EIGHT infrastructure projects worth P547.6 billion bagged final approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Wednesday, including proposals for new bridges, an elevated monorail, and pedestrian walkways along Metro Manila’s main highway.
In a statement, NEDA said the Board, chaired by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, gave the go-signal for six projects to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including the P189.53-billion Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges and the P175.7-billion Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB).
The PGN Island Bridges project involves the construction of a 32.47-kilometer (km), four-lane, two sea-crossing bridges that will connect Panay, Guimaras and Negros islands.
The BCIB project aims to reduce traffic congestion in Metro Manila by building a 32.15-km, four-lane bridge over Manila Bay from Mariveles, Bataan to Naic, Cavite.
A P76.41-billion project involving the construction of a new Cebu-Mactan bridge and coastal road was also approved by the NEDA Board, along with the P28.26-billion Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project, including Bucana bridge.
Likewise, NEDA Board also approved the 35.64-km road and eight bridges that will be built under the P5.89-billion Capas-Botolan road project. This will cut the travel time between Tarlac and Zambales to one-and-a-half hours from four hours. The project is expected to start operating by 2025.
The NEDA Board also gave the green light for the P57.07-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 4 (MRT-4) and the P8.51-billion EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) Greenways project.
The MRT-4 is expected to cut travel time between Metro Manila and Rizal province. The 18.4-kilometer elevated monorail transit system will begin at the V. Mapa Station in Manila and end at the proposed Taytay Station near the Taytay Diversion Road-Manila East Road rotunda in Rizal. It will run through Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Avenue Extension and Taytay Diversion Road.
The EDSA Greenways project involves the construction of five kilometers of covered and elevated walkways in four areas along the main highway.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will finance both the MRT-4 and the EDSA Greenways projects.
“These projects are the building blocks of our people’s dreams and aspirations. As such, we intend to roll out as many as we can to ease congestion and spread growth throughout the country,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia was quoted as saying.
The P6.25-billion Maritime Safety Enhancement program by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) was also greenlit by the NEDA Board.
At the same time, the NEDA Board also okayed the proposals to change the scope and cost of the Davao City bypass construction project (P46.8 billion), as well as to extend the loan validity and the implementation period and increase the cost of the Samar Pacific Coastal road project (P1.13 billion). — B.M.Laforga
https://www.bworldonline.com/neda-board-oks-p548-b-projects/
In a statement, NEDA said the Board, chaired by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, gave the go-signal for six projects to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including the P189.53-billion Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges and the P175.7-billion Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB).
The PGN Island Bridges project involves the construction of a 32.47-kilometer (km), four-lane, two sea-crossing bridges that will connect Panay, Guimaras and Negros islands.
The BCIB project aims to reduce traffic congestion in Metro Manila by building a 32.15-km, four-lane bridge over Manila Bay from Mariveles, Bataan to Naic, Cavite.
A P76.41-billion project involving the construction of a new Cebu-Mactan bridge and coastal road was also approved by the NEDA Board, along with the P28.26-billion Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project, including Bucana bridge.
Likewise, NEDA Board also approved the 35.64-km road and eight bridges that will be built under the P5.89-billion Capas-Botolan road project. This will cut the travel time between Tarlac and Zambales to one-and-a-half hours from four hours. The project is expected to start operating by 2025.
The NEDA Board also gave the green light for the P57.07-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 4 (MRT-4) and the P8.51-billion EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) Greenways project.
The MRT-4 is expected to cut travel time between Metro Manila and Rizal province. The 18.4-kilometer elevated monorail transit system will begin at the V. Mapa Station in Manila and end at the proposed Taytay Station near the Taytay Diversion Road-Manila East Road rotunda in Rizal. It will run through Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Avenue Extension and Taytay Diversion Road.
The EDSA Greenways project involves the construction of five kilometers of covered and elevated walkways in four areas along the main highway.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will finance both the MRT-4 and the EDSA Greenways projects.
“These projects are the building blocks of our people’s dreams and aspirations. As such, we intend to roll out as many as we can to ease congestion and spread growth throughout the country,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia was quoted as saying.
The P6.25-billion Maritime Safety Enhancement program by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) was also greenlit by the NEDA Board.
At the same time, the NEDA Board also okayed the proposals to change the scope and cost of the Davao City bypass construction project (P46.8 billion), as well as to extend the loan validity and the implementation period and increase the cost of the Samar Pacific Coastal road project (P1.13 billion). — B.M.Laforga
https://www.bworldonline.com/neda-board-oks-p548-b-projects/
Approval of NAIAx expansion expected in first quarter
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is expecting the approval of the NAIA Expressway (NAIAx) expansion project within the first quarter of the year.
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) proposed the project, which is awaiting the nod of the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“The NAIA Expressway expansion, I think it is moving forward. So hopefully soon, I think within the first quarter we can expect NEDA [approval],” Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said in Malabon City Friday on the sidelines of the inspection of NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 C3-R10 Section, when asked for an update regarding the project.
The DPWH chief said his office wanted the project to be extended up to Lawton Ave., including Imelda Ave.
SMC announced in 2017 that it had submitted to the government a three-year plan to expand toll roads in southern Metro Manila, as a way to address traffic congestion.
The expansion plan includes NAIAx along with South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), Skyway system, and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road.
SMC was also planning to extend the new NAIAx to Bonifacio Global City (BGC), which aims to reduce traffic on the Sales Bridge and cut travel time from the airport to BGC to 10 minutes. The project will include additional NAIAx ramps from the NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 to SM Sucat, where it can connect with the C-5 extension.
The NAIAx is a private-public partnership with SMC. — Arjay L. Balinbin
https://www.bworldonline.com/approval-of-naiax-expansion-expected-in-first-quarter/
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) proposed the project, which is awaiting the nod of the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“The NAIA Expressway expansion, I think it is moving forward. So hopefully soon, I think within the first quarter we can expect NEDA [approval],” Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said in Malabon City Friday on the sidelines of the inspection of NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 C3-R10 Section, when asked for an update regarding the project.
The DPWH chief said his office wanted the project to be extended up to Lawton Ave., including Imelda Ave.
SMC announced in 2017 that it had submitted to the government a three-year plan to expand toll roads in southern Metro Manila, as a way to address traffic congestion.
The expansion plan includes NAIAx along with South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), Skyway system, and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road.
SMC was also planning to extend the new NAIAx to Bonifacio Global City (BGC), which aims to reduce traffic on the Sales Bridge and cut travel time from the airport to BGC to 10 minutes. The project will include additional NAIAx ramps from the NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 to SM Sucat, where it can connect with the C-5 extension.
The NAIAx is a private-public partnership with SMC. — Arjay L. Balinbin
https://www.bworldonline.com/approval-of-naiax-expansion-expected-in-first-quarter/
DPWH upbeat on San Miguel’s proposal to extend NAIA Expressway
The Department of Public Works and Highways expects the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee to approve the proposal of San Miguel Corp. to extend the NAIA Expressway to Taguig and Parañaque by the first quarter of 2020.
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the agency was awaiting the approval from NEDA-ICC on the proposal of San Miguel to extend the portion of the Naiax along Imelda Avenue in Parañaque and to Lawton Avenue in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.
“Hopefully, will approve it by first quarter,” Villar said.
The project is seen to ease traffic on the Sales Bridge and lessen travel time from the Coastal Road, Airport Terminal 1,2 & 3, and SM Mall of Asia areas to BGC to just 10 minutes.
The project is also expected to decongest Magallanes and the Edsa-Pasay area.
Also included is the additional NAIAX ramps extension from the NAIA Terminal 1 and 2 areas all the way to SM Sucat, where it can link up with the C5 extension.
This will benefit motorists heading to Sucat, Las Piñas, and C5 who usually spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour just getting out of gridlock along airport roads.
NAIA Expressway, which started operations in December 2016 is a 5.4-km, four-lane, elevated expressway, which connects the Skyway system to all three NAIA airport terminals and the Entertainment City of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
It provides access to NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, as well as an interface with the Skyway and Cavitex. The NAIA Expressway alignment follows the road along Sales Avenue, Andrews Avenue, Electrical Road (Parañaque River) and NAIA Road.
Besides NAIA Expressway, San Miguel operates the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, South Luzon Expressway and the Skyway System .
San Miguel is constructing the Skyway Stage 3, an 18.68-km, six-lane elevated expressway that will extend the Skyway from Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City and link the South Luzon Expressway to NLEX. The project aims to decongest major thoroughfares, including EDSA while creating new transport routes.
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the agency was awaiting the approval from NEDA-ICC on the proposal of San Miguel to extend the portion of the Naiax along Imelda Avenue in Parañaque and to Lawton Avenue in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.
“Hopefully, will approve it by first quarter,” Villar said.
The project is seen to ease traffic on the Sales Bridge and lessen travel time from the Coastal Road, Airport Terminal 1,2 & 3, and SM Mall of Asia areas to BGC to just 10 minutes.
The project is also expected to decongest Magallanes and the Edsa-Pasay area.
Also included is the additional NAIAX ramps extension from the NAIA Terminal 1 and 2 areas all the way to SM Sucat, where it can link up with the C5 extension.
This will benefit motorists heading to Sucat, Las Piñas, and C5 who usually spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour just getting out of gridlock along airport roads.
NAIA Expressway, which started operations in December 2016 is a 5.4-km, four-lane, elevated expressway, which connects the Skyway system to all three NAIA airport terminals and the Entertainment City of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
It provides access to NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, as well as an interface with the Skyway and Cavitex. The NAIA Expressway alignment follows the road along Sales Avenue, Andrews Avenue, Electrical Road (Parañaque River) and NAIA Road.
Besides NAIA Expressway, San Miguel operates the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, South Luzon Expressway and the Skyway System .
San Miguel is constructing the Skyway Stage 3, an 18.68-km, six-lane elevated expressway that will extend the Skyway from Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City and link the South Luzon Expressway to NLEX. The project aims to decongest major thoroughfares, including EDSA while creating new transport routes.
SMC proposal to extend Naia Expressway likely to get Neda okay, DPWH chief says
DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has proposed to further extend the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Expressway, an offer that is expected to be approved by the government’s planning body within the first half of the year, a Cabinet official said.
Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said the SMC group wants to extend the airport expressway all the way to Sucat in Parañaque and the port area in Manila to cut travel time and promote better mobility in Metro Manila.
“We want to extend it to Lawton to reach the port, and extend it to Imelda Avenue to reach Sucat,” he said in a recent interview.
Operated by Vertex Tollways Development Inc., Naia Expressway is a four-lane thoroughfare that runs between Sales Avenue and Macapagal Boulevard, almost directly integrated into the Skyway System. It serves as an access point to Naia Terminals 1, 2, and 3, as well as the Entertainment City in Pasay.
Villar said the extension is “not that long, but it’s just a few kilometers.”
“The cost is still being finalized, and we are still vetting it in the Neda to be approved, hopefully, this quarter,” Villar said, referring to the National Economic and Development Authority.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/01/30/smc-proposal-to-extend-naia-expressway-likely-to-get-neda-okay-dpwh-chief-says/
Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said the SMC group wants to extend the airport expressway all the way to Sucat in Parañaque and the port area in Manila to cut travel time and promote better mobility in Metro Manila.
“We want to extend it to Lawton to reach the port, and extend it to Imelda Avenue to reach Sucat,” he said in a recent interview.
Operated by Vertex Tollways Development Inc., Naia Expressway is a four-lane thoroughfare that runs between Sales Avenue and Macapagal Boulevard, almost directly integrated into the Skyway System. It serves as an access point to Naia Terminals 1, 2, and 3, as well as the Entertainment City in Pasay.
Villar said the extension is “not that long, but it’s just a few kilometers.”
“The cost is still being finalized, and we are still vetting it in the Neda to be approved, hopefully, this quarter,” Villar said, referring to the National Economic and Development Authority.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/01/30/smc-proposal-to-extend-naia-expressway-likely-to-get-neda-okay-dpwh-chief-says/
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
3 Japan firms keen on Manila subway contract
By Arjay L. Balinbin
Reporter
AT LEAST THREE Japanese firms, including one of the maintenance providers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), signaled interest in bidding for the contract to provide train sets and electrical and mechanical (E&M) systems for the Metro Manila subway project.
Department of Transportation (DoTr) Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said that as of Jan. 21, three Japanese firms, namely: Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Corp., and Sumitomo Corp., have purchased bidding documents.
“Mitsubishi has purchased bidding documents, Mitsui has purchased also, and third is Sumitomo,” Mr. Batan told BusinessWorld in a recent interview.
Sumitomo is one of the maintenance service providers of MRT-3 along with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, Ltd. and TES Philippines, Inc.
The department published in December the invitation for Japanese firms to participate in the competitive bidding process for the procurement of E&M systems and track works for the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1.
It also sought bids from Japanese firms “for the design, execution and completion of 30 train sets consisting of eight electric multiple units,” or a total of 240 train cars.
According to a bulletin published in newspapers on Dec. 24, 2019, the DoTr said bids for the train sets should be submitted by 10 a.m. on March 17, 2020 with a ¥600-million bid security at the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM-PS) in Manila.
For E&M systems and track works, the DoTr set a March 24, 2020 deadline for submission of bids, along with an ¥800-million bid security.
Mr. Batan said the trains and electro-mechanical systems contracts will be awarded to the winning bidders “by the middle of this year.”
The first phase of the Metro Manila subway project covers three packages, namely: rolling stock; E&M system and track works; as well as the first three underground stations (Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, North Avenue), tunnels and depot construction, depot equipment and buildings.
The government broke ground for the first three stations of the subway project in February last year after the DoTr signed a P51-billion deal for that package with the Shimizu Joint Venture, which consists of Shimizu Corp., Fujita Corp., Takenaka Civil Engineering Company Ltd. and EEI Corp.
The Philippines and Japan signed in March 2018 the first tranche of the P355.6-billion loan for the Metro Manila subway project.
While the public will have to wait until 2025 for full operations of the 36-kilometer subway, the government targets partial operations — covering the first three stations — by 2022.
Mr. Batan said the suppliers of trains and E&M systems will have to start delivering in 2021 the requirements of the section that will be up for partial operations by 2022.
“They have to deliver some tracks, some rolling stock; but the rest, of course, will be delivered according to the schedule of the remainder of the system,” he said.
The government estimates 100,000 commuters will use the partially opened subway system daily. The figure is expected to rise to 370,000 passengers daily once the subway is fully operational.
The completed subway system will have 14-15 stations between Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. It will also link up with Metro Manila’s other railways at the common station being built along North Avenue in Quezon City.
https://www.bworldonline.com/3-japan-firms-keen-on-manila-subway-contract/
Reporter
AT LEAST THREE Japanese firms, including one of the maintenance providers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), signaled interest in bidding for the contract to provide train sets and electrical and mechanical (E&M) systems for the Metro Manila subway project.
Department of Transportation (DoTr) Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said that as of Jan. 21, three Japanese firms, namely: Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Corp., and Sumitomo Corp., have purchased bidding documents.
“Mitsubishi has purchased bidding documents, Mitsui has purchased also, and third is Sumitomo,” Mr. Batan told BusinessWorld in a recent interview.
Sumitomo is one of the maintenance service providers of MRT-3 along with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, Ltd. and TES Philippines, Inc.
The department published in December the invitation for Japanese firms to participate in the competitive bidding process for the procurement of E&M systems and track works for the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1.
It also sought bids from Japanese firms “for the design, execution and completion of 30 train sets consisting of eight electric multiple units,” or a total of 240 train cars.
According to a bulletin published in newspapers on Dec. 24, 2019, the DoTr said bids for the train sets should be submitted by 10 a.m. on March 17, 2020 with a ¥600-million bid security at the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM-PS) in Manila.
For E&M systems and track works, the DoTr set a March 24, 2020 deadline for submission of bids, along with an ¥800-million bid security.
Mr. Batan said the trains and electro-mechanical systems contracts will be awarded to the winning bidders “by the middle of this year.”
The first phase of the Metro Manila subway project covers three packages, namely: rolling stock; E&M system and track works; as well as the first three underground stations (Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, North Avenue), tunnels and depot construction, depot equipment and buildings.
The government broke ground for the first three stations of the subway project in February last year after the DoTr signed a P51-billion deal for that package with the Shimizu Joint Venture, which consists of Shimizu Corp., Fujita Corp., Takenaka Civil Engineering Company Ltd. and EEI Corp.
The Philippines and Japan signed in March 2018 the first tranche of the P355.6-billion loan for the Metro Manila subway project.
While the public will have to wait until 2025 for full operations of the 36-kilometer subway, the government targets partial operations — covering the first three stations — by 2022.
Mr. Batan said the suppliers of trains and E&M systems will have to start delivering in 2021 the requirements of the section that will be up for partial operations by 2022.
“They have to deliver some tracks, some rolling stock; but the rest, of course, will be delivered according to the schedule of the remainder of the system,” he said.
The government estimates 100,000 commuters will use the partially opened subway system daily. The figure is expected to rise to 370,000 passengers daily once the subway is fully operational.
The completed subway system will have 14-15 stations between Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. It will also link up with Metro Manila’s other railways at the common station being built along North Avenue in Quezon City.
https://www.bworldonline.com/3-japan-firms-keen-on-manila-subway-contract/
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
23 Build, Build, Build projects that would decongest Metro Manila
The story of EDSA need not be told. Anyone who have stepped in Manila would know — and would have complained at some point — about the world’s worst city for drivers.
While other nationalities would ask about the weather, Filipinos would talk about the traffic. This is not at all surprising. The debate about Metro Manila’s “true midpoint” is not new. It happens almost every day — over family dinners, coffee meet-ups, high school reunions and even on dates. I remember one friend who broke up with his boyfriend because she could not handle a “long distance relationship”. The five hour travel time to and from Paranaque to Fairview took a toll on their relationship. And honestly, no one could blame them. EDSA has become a source of frustration for many, if not all drivers, commuters and passengers.
The problem however is expected. Metro Manila is one of the world’s most densely populated city with over 42,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. But EDSA, the 23.8 circumferential highway stretching from Taft to Caloocan has not been extended after the 1960s. The project which was originally intended to accommodate a maximum capacity of 288,00 vehicles a day — is being used by 402,000 vehicles. In other words, EDSA has exceeded its capacity by about 39%.
The absence of a genuine infrastructure intervention have already caused the Philippines billions of pesos. In 2012, the Philippines lost ₱2.4 billion a day due to Metro Manila traffic according to Japan International Cooperation Agency. Six years after, the number had gone up to ₱3.5 billion a day due to traffic congestion in Metro Manila. Now, road usage in Metro Manila is at about 13.4 million trips per day and this could go as high as 16.1 million in 17 years.
EDSA Decongestion Master Plan
Since 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar embark on a a plan to decongest EDSA and solve traffic through the “Build, Build, Build” program.
According to Villar, the EDSA Decongestion Program which is composed of 23 projects amounting to over 383 Billion pesos is well underway. President Duterte’s promise of decongesting EDSA is inevitable.
In 2020, six big-ticket projects in Metro Manila will be accessible to the public. These includes: the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, the NLEX Harbor Link R-10 Exit Ramp, the Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C; Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3; Fort Bonifacio-Nichols Road (Lawton Avenue) Widening; and the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project.
Manila to QC in 15 minutes
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is a 5.58 km, 6-lane divided elevated expressway utilising the existing PNR railroad tracks connecting McArthur Highway, C-3 road in Caloocan and Malabon. The project when completed effectively shortens travel time from Valenzuela City to C3 in Caloocan from 1 hour to only 5 minutes.
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 will extend and connect to the Radial Road 10 Exit Ramp, a 2.6km, 4-lane elevated ramp which connects Caloocan, Malabon, and Valenzuela to Manila. When the project is completed, travel time from port area in Manila to NLEX will be reduced from two hours to only 10 to 15 minutes.
Quirino Highway to Gen. Luis Road in 20 minutes
Another project that eases the travel in the east-west thoroughfare and targets to decongest and connect Quirino Highway and General Luis Road is the Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C project, which was started in the 1980s.
The Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C project is a 3.2 km, 4 lane divided highway from NLEX to Gen. Luis Avenue, connecting the areas of Bulacan, Valenzuela, North Caloocan and Quezon City. When completed, travel time between Quirino Highway, and General Luis Road, will be reduced from 1 hour and 30 minutes to only 20 minutes.
Makati to QC in 20 minutes
The main line of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project (MMSS3), an 18.30 km elevated expressway spanning from Buendia in Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City, will also be completed. It will have eight (8) access ramps or interchanges, namely Buendia Avenue, (South Super Highway, Makati City), Pres. Quirino Avenue (Malate, Manila), Plaza Dilao (Paco, Manila), Nagtahan/Aurora Boulevard (Manila), E. Rodriguez Avenue (Quezon City), Quezon Avenue (Quezon City), Sgt. Rivera St. (Quezon City) and NLEX.
The project is expected to decongest Metro Manila by at least 55,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time from Makati to Quezon City from 2 hours to only 15 to 20 minutes.
BGC to Taguig in 12 minutes
Widening of the 3.3 km Fort Bonifacio – Nichols Field Road from four lanes to six lanes will also be completed in 2020.
It is expected to complement the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) – Ortigas Centre Link Road Project, which effectively connects BGC and Ortigas Central Business within 12 minutes. The project is composed of the Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge, a 440 meter four lane bridge across Pasig River connecting Lawton Avenue in Makati City and Santa Monica St. in Pasig City, and the Lawton Avenue – Global City Viaduct, a 565 meter four lane viaduct structure traversing Lawton Avenue onwards to the entrance of BGC.
Civil works to begin this year
DPWH is also set to begin civil works on the following projects this year: NLEX Harbor Link Segment 8.2 from Mindanao Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City; the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project covering the retrofitting of Guadalupe and Lambingan Bridges; and the Pasig River & Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project inclusive of five (5) bridges namely: North & South Harbor Bridge, Palanca-Villegas Bridge, Blumentritt-Antipolo Bridge, and Beata-Manalo Bridge crossing Pasig River, the Eastbank-Westbank Bridge 2 crossing Manggahan Floodway.
Other projects
Apart from these, the EDSA Decongest Masterplan also includes the following projects: Radial Road 10, NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Katipunan Avenue Extension, Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (C6 Phase 1), Samar Street, Laguna Lake Highway, C5 South Link Expressway, NAIA Expressway Phase 2, Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, Estrella Pantaleon Bridge, JP Rizal-Lopez Jaena Bridge, JP Rizal-St. Mary Bridge, Marikina-Vista Real Bridge, and the Bataan Cavite Interlink Bridge.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/26/23-build-build-build-projects-that-would-decongest-metro-manila/
While other nationalities would ask about the weather, Filipinos would talk about the traffic. This is not at all surprising. The debate about Metro Manila’s “true midpoint” is not new. It happens almost every day — over family dinners, coffee meet-ups, high school reunions and even on dates. I remember one friend who broke up with his boyfriend because she could not handle a “long distance relationship”. The five hour travel time to and from Paranaque to Fairview took a toll on their relationship. And honestly, no one could blame them. EDSA has become a source of frustration for many, if not all drivers, commuters and passengers.
The problem however is expected. Metro Manila is one of the world’s most densely populated city with over 42,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. But EDSA, the 23.8 circumferential highway stretching from Taft to Caloocan has not been extended after the 1960s. The project which was originally intended to accommodate a maximum capacity of 288,00 vehicles a day — is being used by 402,000 vehicles. In other words, EDSA has exceeded its capacity by about 39%.
The absence of a genuine infrastructure intervention have already caused the Philippines billions of pesos. In 2012, the Philippines lost ₱2.4 billion a day due to Metro Manila traffic according to Japan International Cooperation Agency. Six years after, the number had gone up to ₱3.5 billion a day due to traffic congestion in Metro Manila. Now, road usage in Metro Manila is at about 13.4 million trips per day and this could go as high as 16.1 million in 17 years.
EDSA Decongestion Master Plan
Since 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar embark on a a plan to decongest EDSA and solve traffic through the “Build, Build, Build” program.
According to Villar, the EDSA Decongestion Program which is composed of 23 projects amounting to over 383 Billion pesos is well underway. President Duterte’s promise of decongesting EDSA is inevitable.
In 2020, six big-ticket projects in Metro Manila will be accessible to the public. These includes: the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, the NLEX Harbor Link R-10 Exit Ramp, the Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C; Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3; Fort Bonifacio-Nichols Road (Lawton Avenue) Widening; and the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project.
Manila to QC in 15 minutes
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is a 5.58 km, 6-lane divided elevated expressway utilising the existing PNR railroad tracks connecting McArthur Highway, C-3 road in Caloocan and Malabon. The project when completed effectively shortens travel time from Valenzuela City to C3 in Caloocan from 1 hour to only 5 minutes.
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 will extend and connect to the Radial Road 10 Exit Ramp, a 2.6km, 4-lane elevated ramp which connects Caloocan, Malabon, and Valenzuela to Manila. When the project is completed, travel time from port area in Manila to NLEX will be reduced from two hours to only 10 to 15 minutes.
Quirino Highway to Gen. Luis Road in 20 minutes
Another project that eases the travel in the east-west thoroughfare and targets to decongest and connect Quirino Highway and General Luis Road is the Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C project, which was started in the 1980s.
The Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C project is a 3.2 km, 4 lane divided highway from NLEX to Gen. Luis Avenue, connecting the areas of Bulacan, Valenzuela, North Caloocan and Quezon City. When completed, travel time between Quirino Highway, and General Luis Road, will be reduced from 1 hour and 30 minutes to only 20 minutes.
Makati to QC in 20 minutes
The main line of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project (MMSS3), an 18.30 km elevated expressway spanning from Buendia in Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City, will also be completed. It will have eight (8) access ramps or interchanges, namely Buendia Avenue, (South Super Highway, Makati City), Pres. Quirino Avenue (Malate, Manila), Plaza Dilao (Paco, Manila), Nagtahan/Aurora Boulevard (Manila), E. Rodriguez Avenue (Quezon City), Quezon Avenue (Quezon City), Sgt. Rivera St. (Quezon City) and NLEX.
The project is expected to decongest Metro Manila by at least 55,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time from Makati to Quezon City from 2 hours to only 15 to 20 minutes.
BGC to Taguig in 12 minutes
Widening of the 3.3 km Fort Bonifacio – Nichols Field Road from four lanes to six lanes will also be completed in 2020.
It is expected to complement the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) – Ortigas Centre Link Road Project, which effectively connects BGC and Ortigas Central Business within 12 minutes. The project is composed of the Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge, a 440 meter four lane bridge across Pasig River connecting Lawton Avenue in Makati City and Santa Monica St. in Pasig City, and the Lawton Avenue – Global City Viaduct, a 565 meter four lane viaduct structure traversing Lawton Avenue onwards to the entrance of BGC.
Civil works to begin this year
DPWH is also set to begin civil works on the following projects this year: NLEX Harbor Link Segment 8.2 from Mindanao Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City; the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project covering the retrofitting of Guadalupe and Lambingan Bridges; and the Pasig River & Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project inclusive of five (5) bridges namely: North & South Harbor Bridge, Palanca-Villegas Bridge, Blumentritt-Antipolo Bridge, and Beata-Manalo Bridge crossing Pasig River, the Eastbank-Westbank Bridge 2 crossing Manggahan Floodway.
Other projects
Apart from these, the EDSA Decongest Masterplan also includes the following projects: Radial Road 10, NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Katipunan Avenue Extension, Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (C6 Phase 1), Samar Street, Laguna Lake Highway, C5 South Link Expressway, NAIA Expressway Phase 2, Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, Estrella Pantaleon Bridge, JP Rizal-Lopez Jaena Bridge, JP Rizal-St. Mary Bridge, Marikina-Vista Real Bridge, and the Bataan Cavite Interlink Bridge.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/26/23-build-build-build-projects-that-would-decongest-metro-manila/
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