COMPLETION of the Metro Rail Transit line 7 (MRT-7) will be delayed if the proposed realignment of the Bulacan station will push through, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Still, partial operation of the MRT-7 from North avenue to Lagro will start next year as scheduled.
The DOTr and San Miguel Corp. (SMC) are studying the proposal of the local government of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan to change the alignment of the Bulacan station, Jaime Bautista, DOTr secretary, said in an interview on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing.
Construction of the Bulacan station has not yet started.
“But if (it will be) realigned there will be a change of scope, cost will return to the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority),” Bautista said.
The 22-kilometer MRT-7 has 14 stations. It will connect Quezon City to San Jose del Monte.
As of April, the MRT-7’s overall progress status is at 69.86 percent.
“I saw the full speed construction and I’m very happy that they are completing the Quezon City leg of MRT-7 which will be operational at the end of 2025. I am very much impressed with how San Miguel Infrastructure has constructed all the facilities and I’m sure with all your help and hard work we should be able to open this Quezon City leg of MRT-7,” Bautista said.
He noted the importance of the project which will serve 300,000 passengers in its first year of operation. The trip from Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte will only take 35 minutes, down from two to three hours.
