LRTA awaits budget for LRT2 extension to port area

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is all set to start the construction of Light Rail Transit line 2’s (LRT-2) extension all the way to Manila’s port area as it now awaits the budget documents for the P10.1 billion project.

Interviewed on PTV’s public briefing on Wednesday, LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera said the agency is now ready to open the bidding for contractors interested to build LRT-2 West Extension Project.

“Inaantay na lang natin ang approval ng ating budget. The moment na mabigay sa atin ‘yung tinatawag na MYOA o multi-year obiligation authoriy ipapa-bid natin kaagad ito kasi tapos na lahat ng plano nito, meron na tayong consultant nito at talagang hinahantay na lang ang papeles ng budget,” Cabrera said.

(We are waiting for the approval of our budget. The moment that the MYOA or multi-year obligation authority is released we can start the bidding immediately because all of the plans are already finished. We also have a consultant for this and we are only waiting for the budget documents.)

The LRTA chief said the LRT-2 West Extension Project will add five more kilometers from the end of the Recto Station’s viaduct.

The project is proposed to have stations in Tutuban, Divisoria, and Pier 4.

“Ito ay para ma-capture naman natin ang mga mananakay na sumasakay ng mga inter-island ferries natin,” Cabrera said.

(This will be for those riding inter-island ferries.)

He said that bidding may take three to four months, while construction of the project may be completed in about three years.

Meanwhile, Cabrera reminded the public that operations of the LRT-2 will be suspended starting April 6 until April 9 to make way for maintenance activities amid the Holy Week break. He said that the line will have shortened operating hours on Holy Wednesday, April 5, with both routes bound for Recto and Antipolo closing at 7 p.m. —VAL, GMA Integrated News