By Emmie Abadilla and Alexandria San Juan
LIGHT SHOW – Sparks fly as work on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 continues even at night to complete all line replacement activities by September and increase running speed to 60 kilometers per hour by December this year. (DOTr photo)
The rail line has fast-tracked its rehabilitation despite the lockdown in Luzon to finish several months ahead of its February, 2021 target date.
“We focused on speeding up the project to benefit the public,” Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade stressed in a virtual press briefing recently.
Rail replacement works were previously limited, from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., during the non-operating hours of the MRT-3 line.
However, since resumption of rail replacement works was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) last April 6, working hours were extended from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
With the extended hours, the MRT-3 management expects all rail replacement works to be completed as early as September 30, 2020.
At present, 36,540 linear meters out of 65,892 linear meters of rail have been replaced (55.45%), out of which 5,616 linear meters were replaced during the lockdown.
The installation of six pieces of LWRs from the GMA-Kamuning Station to the Araneta-Cubao Station (Southbound) was finished last April 15, while 14 LWRs were completely installed from the Araneta-Cubao Station to the Santolan-Annapolis Station (Southbound) last April 23.
Rail replacement works from the Santolan-Annapolis Station to the Ortigas Station started on May 2.
After completion of rail replacement activities, the MRT-3 will also conduct a system check on October, 2020.
This is to test the alignment of tracks, Overhead Catenary System (OCS), and even the signalling and communications systems of the mainline.
Once all rail replacement activities are completed, the operating speed of MRT-3’s trains are expected to increase gradually, from the current 30 kph, to 40 kph by October, 50 kph by November, and 60 kph by December.
The increased speed will translate to a lower headway, or waiting time between trains, from the current 8.5 minutes down to 3.5 minutes.
Together, with the increase in operational trains from the current 15 up to 20, MRT-3’s capacity is expected to double from the current 300,000 to 600,000 passengers per day.
The rail replacement is also intended to reduce vibration-caused breakdowns, increased reliability of the rail system, and lesser passenger delays.
Aside from the rail replacement activities, the comprehensive rehab works under Sumitomo-MHI-TESP, also includes general overhaul of all 72 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) of the MRT-3.
Also included are the rehabilitation of power and overhead catenary systems (OCS), upgrade of the signalling system, communications and CCTV systems, repair of all MRT-3’s escalators and elevators.