By rosebell
Following commission of a new tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the Camp Aguinaldo Station, the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) has advanced further.
The responsibility of launching JIM Technology TBM was up to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Four TBMs are due to be used in MMSP’s Contract Package 103, built by Sumitomitsui Construction, whereas these machines will tunnel 6.5km for two underground Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo stations and associated tunnels.
Including 17 stations, the Metro Manila Subway project will use JIM Technology TBM as the fifth TBM.
The other four TBMs are already operating for CP101, tunneling for four stations in the north, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, North Avenue, and East Valenzuela.
According to Transportation Undersecretary Jeremy Regino: “More TBMs will be deployed soon to speed up the completion of the country’s first underground rail system.We will continue to add more tunnel boring machines. We expect the 19 TBMs to be operating in the coming years, to expedite construction of this subway project.”
He also added: “Despite a limited 2025 budget, DOTr will accelerate railway construction to ease traffic in Metro Manila and nearby areas.”
The issues such as right-of-way, to fast-track major projects, will be resolved by DOTr as transport executive assured.
Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner stated: ” The Metro Manila Subway Project will transform the country’s transportation landscape.Our soldiers, our civilian staff, and their families will have increased access to reliable transit, allowing us to respond with greater speed and efficiency during emergencies.”
As of December 2024, the Metro Manila Subway’s construction is 18.24% complete.
This subway with 33km length will span eight cities, from Valenzuela City to FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque and touted as the Philippines’ Crown Jewel of mass transit.
With capacity of serving over half a million passengers daily, the metro project is expected to decrease travel time from Valenzuela to Pasay City from one hour 38 minutes to just 45 minutes,once completed.
The date of commencing construction of the MMSP was 2019 and is expected to transform public transit by 2029 while being operated under the Department of Transportation.
Tags: # Metro Manila Project # JIM Technology TBM # Camp Aguinaldo Station # Philippines # Tunneling
