Light Rail Manila Corp. said Monday it completed the construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1 viaduct.
LRMC, along with contractor Bouygues Travaux Publics, started the civil works in September 2019 and installed pi-girders or chief horizontal support in a structure covering the entire stretch of Dr. A. Santos Station until Redemptorist Station in Paranaque City.
It said with the completion of the viaduct, electromechanical works involving the laying of the rails and the installation of the electrical system and the construction of the stations would begin.
“LRMC is glad to welcome 2022 with this LRT-1 Cavite Extension accomplishment. With the support from our various partners in the public and private sectors, this project was able to achieve significant progress despite the limitations of the pandemic. Through our work in upgrading and extending the LRT-1 system, we hope to make a difference and improve the lives of future generations,” said LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso.
LRMC which took over the operations of LRT-1 in 2015, invested almost P25 billion for the rehabilitation of the existing system and construction of the Cavite extension project.
It also upgraded the line’s signaling system to facilitate the commercial use of 4th heneration train sets and the connection of LRT-1 existing line to the future system.
Phase 1 of the 11.7-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension project covers five stations at Dr. A Santos, Ninoy Aquino, Asiaworld, MIA and Redemptorist. Completion rate for Phase 1 reached 67.5 percent as of end-2021.
Civil works for the viaduct used a special engineering method, a first for the Philippines, which allowed for faster execution, causing minimal effect on the ground-level traffic.
The first pi-girder was installed using the above-ground launcher in September 2020. Since then, pi-girders continued to be installed every one to two days. A total of 203 pi-girders were installed using the above-ground launcher and on-ground equipment such as straddle carriers and cranes.
Once completed, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project is expected serve commuters in Southern Metro Manila, the province of Cavite and nearby areas.
Phase 1 is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.