President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Reynaldo Berroya, are leading the formal inauguration of the P4.5 billion LRT-2 East Extension Project today, July 1, 2021. It will start operation next week, July 6.
The LRT-2 East Extension Project adds 3.793 kilometers to the existing 13.8-kilometer LRT-2 train line, connecting Recto in Manila to Antipolo, Rizal.
The extended line will have two new stations— Marikina-Pasig and Antipolo stations.
Trains on the line running from Recto Station in Manila to the Antipolo Station have also been increased to eight from the previous five that run from Recto Station to the Santolan Station.
Once operational, the LRT-2 East Extension Project will reduce travel time from Claro M. Recto, Manila to Masinag, Antipolo from 3 hours via bus or jeepney, to just 30 to 40 minutes.
The project shall likewise increase the rail line’s average daily passenger capacity from 240,000 to 320,000.
Furthermore, the LRT-2 East Extension Project will help reduce traffic congestion along Marcos Highway, especially in Marikina, Pasig and Antipolo.
At least 1,800 jobs were generated during the construction of the LRT-2 East Extension Project.
Add to that, DOTr projects that 170 rail personnel will be employed to work in the two new stations.
The plan to extend the LRT-2 line from Santolan Station to Marikina-Pasig and then to Antipolo City was has been a part of the Master Plan for Metro Manila since 1999, under the Metro Manila Urban Integration Study (MMUTIS).
The NEDA Board aporoved the project in September 2012 and construction of viaducts started in April 2015.
Actual and full blast construction of the 2 new stations (Marikina-Pasig and Antipolo) started on February 20 2017. The contract amount was P1.1 billion.
The electromechanical systems contract worth P3.4 billion was awarded in December 2018.