DOTr: LRT 1 extension project will not disrupt traffic

New construction methods promise minimal effect on traffic

After countless delays and setbacks, the Department of Transporation (DOTr) has announced that the LRT-1 extension project, from Pasay City to Cavite, has commenced last May 7. The project will be a 21-kilometer extension from LRT in Baclaran, Paranaque up to Niog in Bacoor, Cavite.

With construction already underway, it's expected that traffic flow along the affected roads will worsen. However, the DOTr assured the public that the LRT-1 extension will have minimal effect on motorists. How so? Well, instead of actually building the girders on-site, the LRMC will build them off-site.

The LRT 1 extension project will utilize a new building method called 'Full Span Girder Launching'. In a nutshell, this new method will allow LRMC to pre-cast concrete girder segments in their construction yard. After each one has been made and dried, they will then be brought to the worksite and placed on top of the columns.

According to the DOTr, this new method will be faster than traditional pre-casting methods. Aside from the fact that these girders will no longer have to be transported on-road, each girder will just have to be placed by special equipment in order to hasten construction.

The DOTr plans to have five of the eight stations to be operational by 2021. Once fully completed, the newly-extended LRT-1 will have nearly double the daily ridership from 458,000 to 800,000 commuters. Also, it is expected to reduce travel time between Cavite to Baclaran from 1 hour and 10 minutes to just 25 minutes.