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Department of Transportation, San Miguel Corp and the Quezon City local government on April 14 broke ground for pre-construction works on an elevated turnback guideway for Metro Rail Transit Line 7
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The development moves MRT-7 one step closer to completion
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MRT-7 will have 14 stations and cater to about 800,000 daily commuters from San Jose del Monte in Bulacan up to North Avenue in Quezon City
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It will cut travel time from the usual 2 to 3 hours down to 35 minutes
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), San Miguel Corp and the Quezon City local government broke ground on April 14 for pre-construction works for an elevated turnback guideway of Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7).
The guideway will rise along West Avenue in Quezon City, putting the MRT-7 one step closer to completion, the DOTr said in a statement.
The turnback guideway will allow MRT-7 trains to revert directions upon terminating at the North Triangle Common Station in North Avenue, assistant secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino said.
“This portion of the alignment is critical to ensuring that train services would remain on schedule across the entire alignment from North Avenue to San Jose del Monte,” she said.
Aquino commended the initiatives of the Quezon City LGU for redesigning West Avenue, given the expanse of physical space needed for the pillars of the turnback guideway.
“This pre-construction works’ program will guarantee the least possible disruption in the travel experience of both pedestrians and road users along West Avenue while the MRT 7 infrastructure is in place,” the railways official said.
With 14 stations, the MRT-7 will cater to about 800,000 daily commuters from San Jose del Monte in Bulacan up to North Avenue in Quezon City, cutting down travel time from the usual 2 to 3 hours down to 35 minutes.
“With the completion of other key railway projects such as the Metro Manila Subway, North South Commuter Railway, LRT 1 Cavite Extension, and the MRT-4, commuting between Quezon City and the rest of the Metro Manila, and even to and from the nearby provinces will be more comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable, and affordable,” Aquino said.
In her keynote address, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte thanked DOTr, noting that Quezon City is part of the agency’s many projects, with the city hosting the most number of subway and MRT stations.
Also present during the event were Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Ret. P/Col. Procopio Lipana, Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Ompong Ordanes, Quezon City’s Assistant City Administrator Alberto Kimpo, several City Councilors, barangay officials and SMC officials.
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