Coming Up! LRT North Extension Project

Mass transport has increasingly become a necessity in a congested Metropolis like ours. Over the years, this has become a great solution to combat traffic gridlock in the city's streets. For car-less commuters, this has been a vital link from homes into workplaces, not only because it is fast and efficient, but also hassle-free and cheap.

That's why, our National Government embarked on different rail-based transportation to and within the Metro. First was the old LRT-1 (Monumento-Taft route), followed by heavily-patronized MRT-3 (EDSA) and student-friendly MRT-2 (Marcos-Aurora-Legarda-Recto route) as the latest line added in transport maps.

Despite these mass-transit projects provided by the Government, there is still a greater need for more mass-transits considering that every year, commuters increase rapidly. That's why, in the recent stage, extension of various rail-lines have been put into spotlight. One of this is the connection of existing MRT-3 with the older LRT-1 by adding 5.71 kms. of elevated track and four more stations. Through this, that the LRT-North Extension Project (NEP) was born. First planned right after the MRT-3 construction, this connection will finally 'close-the-loop' of rail transport along EDSA. From North Avenue station of the MRT -3, you'll finally reach Monumento without hassles of taking buses or crowded jeepneys. Once finished, this will jack-up the passenger turnout for both systems, specifically the LRT-1, from a meager 400,000 per day, into 800,00 passengers. Generation of income will be increased, helping the mass transport companies pay-off their debts upon construction of these systems.

As the pictures state, LRT viaducts have already been installed and stations are already up. The construction started in middle of 2008 and the commissioning will be before GMA ends her term, or by May of this year. Definitely, this will be a big boost to our economy since mass transport has been a great help in bringing people to their respective jobs and destinations, thereby productivity among the people will be improved. More of this update in the coming weeks as we inch closer to its inauguration probably by February or May.

C5-Quirino Tunnel in Novaliches

[ABOVE]Map of the project connecting C5 with NLEX in Valenzuela City (MNTC).

A blessed New Year to everyone. As a great start for this wonderful year 2010, I am pleased to present to you my adventures across the city and featuring the latest updates on infrastructure & development. First our first walk we will check the ongoing construction of the tunnel alongMindanao Avenue (nicknamed C5) and Quirino highway in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Background:

National Government has initiated this project known as NLEX-SLEX link last year, which aims to connect the North Luzon Expressway with the South Luzon expressway through Circumferential Road aka C5. This will divert motorists who frequently use EDSA as route toward the two expressways in going in and out of the Metropolis. This will help a lot in saving time & gas on transport once connected. One of the vital parts of the project is the tunnel intersecting Quirino highway & Mindanao avenue.

[ABOVE] View of Mindanao Avenue (C5) looking towards Valenzuela.

Based on the pictures, you can see the walls of the tunnel already up but the tunnel construction

underneath the intersection has not yet begun. The intended deadline of this project was supposedly December 2009

but until now (January 2010) only the western side of the tunnel has been completed. The eastern part (facing

Hortaleza building) is yet to begin. Despite the delay, let's keep our fingers crossed for this project to be done

by June of this year in time for the influx of students on opening season of school year. Remember,

that Novaliches is one of the most populous districts in Metro Manila as well as one of the highest number

of schools per district. Once finished, this will divert most of the vehicles using EDSA-NLEX route directly to C5.

Before I sign off, let me leave you with this maxim written in Tagalog. This signifies

that you don't have to be an engineering buff just to show concern for our infrastructure

projects across the country since we all use it, and therefore affected by it.

Imprastruktura at eknomiya, Magkasama.

Comments are indeed welcome!