-
Light Rail Manila Corp conducted the first test run on the tracks of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite extension
-
The project is slated for completion by the last quarter of 2024
-
Progress on the five new stations boosted overall completion rate to 95% for the Phase 1 project as of October 2023
The Light Rail Manila Corp (LRMC) has conducted its first test run on the tracks of the Cavite extension Phase 1 of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) as part of preparations to ensure the project’s completion by the last quarter of 2024.
The test run, spearheaded by LRMC contractor Alstom, aimed to provide a compatibility check and assess the interface between vital infrastructure components such as train pantograph and the overhead catenary system; train wheels and rail tracks; and train and platforms including other viaduct trackside structures.
The start of a series of test runs featured a second generation (Gen-2) train set and a running speed of up to 4.5 kilometers per hour only as part of safety precaution.
LRMC, in a statement, said the Gen-2 train set is the widest in terms of car body making it the most strategic option to check for initial compatibility with station platforms, walkways, and cableways, among others.
Further test runs are planned in the coming weeks to include the other train generations of LRT-1 at varying speeds and load capacities.
“It was a proud moment for us to see our train running along the extension line of LRT-1 from Redemptorist Station to Dr. Santos Station,” LRMC president and CEO Juan Alfonso said.
“As we near the completion of this much-awaited railway project, the general public will begin to see more trains undergoing test runs and trial runs. These activities serve as a testament to the dedication and hard work of [the] LRMC team, our contractors, and partners in making the LRT-1 Cavite extension a reality,” Alfonso added.
Simultaneously, progress on the five new stations under the 6.7-kilometer Phase 1 project is underway, with the LRT-1 Cavite extension project demonstrating a 95% completion rate for civil and system works as of October 2023.
“The LRT-1 Cavite extension is now taking shape. We are confident that once this extension is operational, it will help in significantly improving the train system in our country providing a more efficient and reliable transportation option,” Alfonso said.
The 11.7-kilometer, eight-station LRT-1 Cavite extension project is a collaboration between the Department of Transportation, Light Rail Transit Authority and LRMC.
The P64.915-billion project will link Baclaran in Parañaque City to Bacoor, Cavite. Upon full operation, the project is anticipated to reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor to 25 minutes, down from the current 1 hour and 10 minutes, while increasing the rail line’s capacity from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers daily.
Initially slated to commence construction in 2014, the project faced delays due to right-of-way issues, which were ultimately resolved in 2016. Groundbreaking took place in 2017.
