Work on engineering design of Ramos-era MRT4 to start in March —DOTr

The Metro Rail Transit Line 4 (MRT4), first conceived during the Ramos administration, is starting to take shape as the project’s detailed engineering design is set to commence next month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday.

“Ang MRT4 project ay isa sa pinakabagong proyekto [ng DOTr]. Inaprubahan lang ito noong 2020,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said at a virtual press conference.

“Ang detailed engineering design consultant para sa proyektong ito ay pinrocure ng Asian Development Bank at mamo-mobilize ito by March 2021,” Batan said.

The 15.6-kilometer railway will connect N. Domingo in San Juan City to Taytay, Rizal.

The project, costing about P60 billion, got the green light from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board in January 2020.

The project is comprised of 11 stations from N. Domingo to Taytay Diversion Road.

“Una sa lahat itong MRT4 project, isa ito sa matagal nang proyekto na finally umuusad na ulit... 1995 pa po noong unang mag-issue ng instruction para pag aralan ito, lumipas ang maraming administrasyon at finally napaaprubahan na last year,” Batan said.

“Meron ng commitment, kasama na sa country operating plan ng Asian Development Bank ang MRT4 at magkakaroon na nga tayo ng detailed engineering consultant by next month,” he said.

In the first year of operations, probably by 2025, the MRT4 is seen to serve at least 220,000 passengers.

“Ang construction nito inaasahan na mag uumpisa by 2023,” Batan said. -MDM, GMA News