Govt plans $1.41b Manila transit project<\/p>\n
MANILA (AP): The Philippine government said on Wednesday it
\nplans an ambitious US$1.41 billion mass-transit project aimed at
\neasing the monstrous traffic problem for metropolitan Manila's 10
\nmillion residents.<\/p>\n
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered speedy
\nimplementation of the Medium-Term Transportation Development Plan
\nfor railways in the sprawling capital after the project was
\npresented to her Cabinet Tuesday, a government statement said.<\/p>\n
The plan was among the recommendations in a study on an
\nintegrated urban transportation system for metropolitan Manila up
\nto 2015. The study was funded by the Japan International
\nCooperation Agency.<\/p>\n
Metropolitan Manila, which covers 17 cities and
\nmunicipalities, has one of the worst traffic problems in
\nSoutheast Asia, and its air quality is rapidly getting worse. The
\nManila-based Asian Development Bank said in 1997 that vehicle and
\nindustrial emissions pose severe health hazards, particularly to
\nchildren and the elderly.<\/p>\n
The rail project includes upgrading and increasing the
\nefficiency of existing commuter lines. The statement didn't
\nspecify the source of funding.<\/p>\n
The first of seven rail projects involves a $194 million plan
\nto increase the daily capacity of the 15-kilometer Light Rail
\nTransit system from 400,000 to 1 million passengers. The winning
\nbidder is expected to be announced next month.<\/p>\n
A $7.8 million project to automate the fare payment system on
\nthat line, which runs through central Manila, is expected to be
\ncompleted in September.<\/p>\n
The 15-year-old line also would be extended to southern towns
\nand suburbs under a project that would cost about $97 million.<\/p>\n
The government also plans to build a 14-kilometer east-west
\nline between Manila's Divisoria district and suburban Pasig by
\n2004 as a cost of $581.5 million.<\/p>\n
The Light Rail Transit will be connected in four years to
\nManila's newest line, the Metro Rail Transit, under a $270
\nmillion project. That will complete the rail loop above Rizal
\nAvenue and the EDSA highway, the main arteries of the metropolis.<\/p>\n
The government also plans to rehabilitate a 50-kilometer
\ncommuter line between Manila and Calamba, in Laguna province to
\nthe south, by 2006 at a cost of about $263 million.<\/p>\n
A 22-kilometer line is also planned to link Manila and the
\nNovaliches district to the north, but the government statement
\ngave no details on the project.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-plans-141b-manila-transit-project-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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