MRT-7 opening set December 2022
MRT-7 construction involves a lot of mechanical and electrical work. There are so many systems to be integrated to ensure we can efficiently and safely run a large number of passenger trains to serve the public
Work on the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7), another infrastructure project of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), has crossed the halfway mark, with civil works now 51.73 percent complete and electrical/mechanical (E&M) works 55.31 percent done.
“Our progress for the MRT-7 project as of January 2021 is at about 54 percent. We have already completed a significant amount of civil works, including the installation of bored piles, girders and foundational works on stations, and we have been installing rails or tracks. At the same time, E&M works have also advanced significantly,” Ramon S. Ang, SMC president, said.
For the project’s elevated section, some 6.2 kilometers (km) of the target 13.5 kms. have been completed. For the at-grade sections, 4.8 km. of the target 6.9 kms. have been completed. Meanwhile, 1.5 kms. of the 1.9 km. tunnel portion is done.
“Compared to our recently-completed Skyway 3 project — which is one of the most difficult we’ve had to undertake because of changes to its alignment and the engineering solutions we’ve had to employ to mitigate right-of-way (RoW) problems — the MRT-7 project is actually more complex,” Ang related.
“Apart from complex construction work, MRT-7 construction involves a lot of mechanical and electrical work. There are so many systems to be integrated to ensure we can efficiently and safely run a large number of passenger trains to serve the public,” Ang explained.
Despite delays to construction and workforce limitations caused by the coronavirus pandemic, work on the MRT-7 has continued at a steady pace, as part of SMC’s commitment to continue all its projects and investments, in order to generate jobs, boost economic growth and help in the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Once complete, the MRT-7 project will make daily commutes from Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan faster and easier. It will link up with MRT-3 and LRT-1, providing greater access and seamless travel.
“There is still a lot of work to be done. And on top of that, similar to Skyway 3, there are still many right-of-way issues pending for the MRT-7 project. But we will continue working. We just keep on building and doing what we can in areas where we can work, so that we can finish this faster,” Ang said.
“Given our progress today, and all the major milestones we’re expecting this year and the next, I think we’re confident we can achieve full, complete operations by December next year, with our first test run scheduled for June next year. By then, I believe we would be recovering already from the impacts of Covid-19. Our economy will be on the way up, and people will be resuming their lives in the next normal. MRT-7 will be ready for them, to help make commutes faster, to boost our economy, and bring growth to more areas,” he added.