A 9.77-kilometer elevated railway from Diliman, Quezon City to España Boulevard in Manila is expected to be operational by 2021 if the project consortium, which now includes construction and engineering firm Megawide Construction Corp., can break ground this year.
The proposed railway line will pass through the corridor of Quezon Avenue up to Espana Boulevard, cited as the third most traversed road in Metro Manila. Daily ridership in the area is estimated at 600,000, according to Megawide.
The East-West Railway project (EWRP) was submitted as an unsolicited proposal in partnership with the state-owned Philippine National Railways. It is still awaiting approval by the National Economic Development Authority.
EWRP will have 11 stations and provide interconnecting facilities to neighboring rail systems (LRT 1 and 2, MRT3 and the upcoming MRT7), aiming to alleviate traffic congestion and encourage more productive activities along the route.
Megawide was given the right to acquire up to 60 percent of the special purpose vehicle for this railway project, earlier estimated to cost $1 billion.
Prior to Megawide’s entry, a memorandum of understanding between the private sector proponents was signed in Malaysia late last year as part of the new business deals generated during President Duterte’s visit to Kuala Lumpur. The other partners are East-West Rail Transit Corp. (which includes A. Brown Co.,) and Malaysian infrastructure group Alloy MTD.
Megawide said its entry into the project was a testament to its wide experience as an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
Edgar Saavedra, Megawide president, said his company’s participation in EWRP would continue the company’s vision of contributing to nation building. “Megawide supports the Duterte administration in its push for reliable, sustainable transport infrastructure. A solution is needed for Metro Manila’s worsening traffic congestion and we believe efficient mass transportation is the answer.”