01 February 2016, Manila, PHILIPPINES — Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) will commence its 29-kilometer track rail replacement project in April as part of its ongoing rehabilitation efforts for the 32-year old train line.
The rail replacement will cover the northbound route from Baclaran to 5th Avenue. The project will complete the overall renewal of LRT-1’s tracks system, with Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) about to complete the first phase of the project after carrying out the replacement of the 23-kilometer southbound tracks last December on top of the eight kilometers already replaced in previous years.
According to LRMC Engineering Director Rudy Chansuyco, the new rails are expected to be delivered in April this year. “Our target is to be done by the end of 2017 with new, modern tracks that will allow for smoother rides for our passengers. The rail replacement will cover the systematic replacements of rails and other rail components to keep the LRT-1 line functioning at optimum quality and enable train speed to be increased from 40kph to 60kph.” Both will result to the increased life span of LRT-1 as the rail replacement is expected to minimize wear and tear for the rolling stock and increase the reliability of the whole train system.
Chansuyco maintained that the rail replacement is just one of the programmed improvement projects that LRT-1 will undergo. He added that LRMC is also currently working on the rehabilitation of elevators and escalators, improvement of the stations and restoration of old trains. New light rail vehicles (LRVs) are coming soon to augment the existing fleet.
The project will also benefit communities in close proximity to the stations, as the new set of tracks will significantly reduce the vibration and noise levels currently experienced.
Furthermore, LRMC is set to construct the 11.7-kilometer extension from the present end-point at Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite. Eight new stations will be built along the route, with the goal of easing traffic conditions in the Paranaque-Las Pinas-Cavite corridor.
LRMC is the joint venture of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. and Ayala’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. (AC Infra) and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd. It took over the operation and management of LRT-1 last September 2015. (ENDS)