The Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to redesign the San Jose del Monte station of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 7 in Bulacan provinces, instead of relocating it as proposed by the local government.
“We’re looking into that [redesigning]. There’s no final decision yet, but they’re [San Jose Del Monte LGU] open to it,” DOTr Undersecretary for railways Jeremy Regino said.
Regino said San Miguel Corp. would present its updated study for the MRT 7 San Jose Del Monte station.
“If it is okay with the DOTr, we will go back to San Jose LGU and present the adjusted proposal,” Regino said, adding that the new design would ensure there would be no obstruction on the road.
“So, if there’s no obstruction on the road, then traffic [congestion] could be avoided,” he said.
San Jose Del Monte Mayor Arthur Robes earlier proposed to realign the route of MRT 7 due to traffic congestion concerns in the area.
Robes said the proposed route follows Quirino Highway, a key thoroughfare used by a significant number of commuters traveling to and from Metro Manila.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista had said the construction of the 22-kilometer project might face a delay until 2027, subsequently postponing its formal operations to 2028, if SMC decided to push through with its proposed alignment.
Regino said, however, San Miguel was on track for the partial operations of the MRT 7 by end-2025.
“They’re still moving heaven and earth to be able to meet that timeline. It’s a tight timeline, but they’re doing their best to meet the timelines,” he said.
MRT-7 spans 22 kilometers and encompasses 14 stations, commencing from North Ave. in Quezon City and concluding at San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
The infrastructure development is expected to serve about 800,000 passengers daily.
