Ref.: Maria Kristina E. Cassion
+63 2 854-0984 / 854-0452
July 9, 2008
Actual construction for the LRTA
North Extension Project has already started following a Topping Off Ceremony
on July 9, 2008 near the Caloocan-Monumento Circle.
LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles said the construction of the project is
a timely response to the rising cost of fuel which is currently pegged at
P61 for unleaded gas and from P53 to P54.97 for diesel.
?I am very much pleased that our North Extension Project has moved one step
to becoming a reality. The additional stations will be a great addition to
the community and will bring the much needed relief to the traffic in the
area,? Robles added.
He also said that since the construction of the LRT systems, the long unruly
traffic condition has been considerably tamed with the help of train systems
that provide quick and convenient connections among different districts in
the metropolis.
?Riding the LRT is the most efficient, fastest and cheapest way and proven
more so with the current fare among other modes of transportation,? Robles
said.
The extension project, touted as the ?Closing the Loop? project will connect
the Monumento Station to MRT?s North Avenue Station through an entirely
elevated 5.4 km viaduct, and is set to be completed by May 2010.
The project will also include the construction of three new stations ?
Balintawak, Roosevelt and North Stations, which will be equipped with
escalators and elevators.
With the said project, average daily ridership is set to increase by 66.16%
or a total of 535,558 passengers from the current average of 361,432
passengers.
The North Extension Project is a priority project of President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo to ease traffic congestion in the metropolis. Other
extension projects of the LRTA are the Cavite Extension, East Extension from
Snatolan to Masinag and the West Extension from Recto to Divisoria.
Robles also announced plans of the LRTA to develop a park and ride system
near the LRT Lines that will help enable commuters to leave their cars
securely and avail of rail service.
?I believe that anything we can do to offer mass transit is a good step
forward,? he said.
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