DOTC extends deadline for LRT-2 viaduct extension

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has given interested bidders for the first phase of the P9.7 billion extension of the Light Rail Transit line 2 (LRT-2) system more time to prepare their bids.

In a bid bulletin, DOTC Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla extended by the deadline for the submission of bids for the construction of the P2.4 billion elevated guideway or viaduct for the LRT-2 east extension project to Nov. 14 instead of Nov. 4.

“Given that the Invitation to Bid was published on Sept. 29 while the bid documents were uploaded in the DOTC website on Oct. 9, the submission and opening of bids is hereby rescheduled to Nov. 14,” Lotilla said.

The extension stemmed from requests from prospective bidders to extend the deadline of the submission of bids to Dec. 4 because they need more time to prepare numerous documents and study the technical drawings and specifications.

The proposed viaduct would stretch 3.93 kilometers eastward from the existing Santolan Station along Marcos Highway, Pasig City until the intersection of Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway at Masinag, Cainta, Rizal.

The winning bidder has 540 calendar days to complete the project.

The DOTC is also in the process of privatizing the operations and maintenance of LRT-2 and has given interested bidders until Nov. 20 to submit their prequalification documents.

The P9.7-billion LRT-2 extension is expected to further increase the current 200,000 daily passenger volume of the mass transit system that traverses the cities of Manila, San Juan, Quezon City, Marikina, and Pasig.

The winning bidder would operate and maintain for a period of 10 years the existing 13.8 kilometer LRT-2 from C. M. Recto Ave. in Avenida, Manila to Santolan in Pasig City with 11 stations as well as the proposed P9.7 billion extension project covering an additional two stations all the way to Masinag in Antipolo City.

The winner would also operate and maintain other future extension of the LRT-2 system including the proposed extension to Port Area in Manila.