Bidding starts for P6-B LRT-MRT loop project

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has started the bidding process to get a contractor to undertake the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-Light Rail Transit (LRT) interconnection project worth P6.3 billion.

LRTA administrator Melquiades “Mel” Robles said their bids and awards committee has started issuing eligibility documents to interested contractors willing to bid for the project last Monday.

As of yesterday, Robles said three groups have signified their interest in the project by buying eligibility documents: Leighton Contractors, Inc. (Philippines)-A.M. Oreta & Co. joint venture consortium; Marubeni Corporation; and Asset Builders Corp.

Robles said the LRTA was taking measures to ensure a fair and transparent bidding, such as opening it to the public by posting bids online through their website.

He said there is also a plan to invite representatives from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Philippine Contractors Association and Transparency International to observe the process. 

The LRTA started the bidding process after getting the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board’s approval for the project, which involves creating a loop between the MRT rail line at its North Avenue-EDSA end station in Quezon City and the Monumento, Caloocan station of LRT Line 1. The loop will have three stations along EDSA.

Robles expressed confidence that the project can be finished by the target completion on April 2010.

“With the way things are going right now, we are optimistic that construction of the project can finally start by May 2008 so that by May 2010, revenue operations can already be commenced,” he said.

 On Nov. 28, 2006, President Arroyo directed Transportation and Communicaitons Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Robles to proceed with the construction of the LRT-MRT loop after thorough evaluation of several construction options. 

Last month, the NEDA board approved the feasibility study commissioned by the LRTA, which stated that the extension project will include the construction of three new stations equipped with escalators and elevators.

The LRTA said that with the project, the average daily ridership is set to increase by 66.16 percent or a total of 535,558 passengers from the current average of 322,309 passengers.

Funding for the project will be taken from the debt-paper sale of state-owned National Development Co., amounting to P4.6 billion. The remaining P1.67 billion will be obtained through a General Appropriations Act enacted by Congress.