By Carlos Jimwell Aquino

PHOTO: Sec. Art Tugade

The 64.9-billion-peso Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 Cavite Extension, which connects Baclaran and Bacoor City, now has a 57 percent overall progress rate as of June 30, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Tuesday.

This almost 11 kilometer rail line extension is expected to cut travel time from 70 minutes to 25 minutes and increase passenger capacity from 500,000 to 800,000 per day.

This project, which was delayed for two decades, includes eight more stations from Baclaran, bringing the total number of LRT-1 stations to 28.

These will be located at Redemptorist, MIA, Asiaworld, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog.



DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, moreover, said the project generated more than 1,600 jobs during its construction phase.

“We expect more job opportunities for the Filipino people once it becomes operational,” Tugade said.

The transportation department, in collaboration with the Light Rail Transit Authority and the Light Rail Manila Corporation, marked the start of construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension on May 7, 2019.

This is expected to begin partial operations by the end of 2021.