San Jose del Monte LGU seeks MRT-7 route realignment

The City of San Jose del Monte (SJDM) in Bulacan is seeking the realignment of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7’s (MRT-7) route after consultations with stakeholders, who raised concerns about traffic congestion and the disruption of services.

In a statement on Wednesday, SJDM Mayor Arthur Robes said considerations to reroute the MRT-7 from the initial proposed path within the city “resulted from effective and inclusive consultations with all relevant stakeholders.”

Robes said concerns from the city’s constituents include construction-related issues such as possible traffic congestion, decline in the quality of living, and disruption in the delivery of essential services.

“Our city government consolidated various sentiments from our constituents and we immediately shared it in a meeting with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista for their consideration,” Robes said.

In an interview with reporters, Bautista said that the San Jose del Monte leg of the MRT-7 might face a delay in completion as stakeholders, particularly building owners to be affected by the alignment, are asking to divert the path of the railway.

“They’re asking us if we can divert the station to another location,” he said.

Robes said that the current proposed railway route follows Quirino Highway, a key thoroughfare used by a significant number of commuters traveling to and from Metro Manila. 

“We have also forwarded options where this essential project can push through while also ensuring that the general welfare of the people of San Jose Del Monte is met," the SJDM mayor said.

The Transportation chief, likewise, said that the SJDM LGU gave three options for the possible relocation of the MRT-7 station in the city.

“We’ll study it…,” Bautista said.

Robes, nevertheless, said that the SJDM LGU is not part of the negotiations regarding right of way issues affecting the project.

"We are looking forward to working with the Department of Transportation and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to fast-track the successful completion of this vital infrastructure project,” the SJDM mayor said. 

The entire MRT-7 projects spans 22 kilometers, consisting of 14 stations: Quezon North Avenue Joint Station, Quezon Memorial Circle, University Avenue, Tandang Sora, Don Antonio, Batasan, Manggahan, Doña Carmen, Regalado, Mindanao Avenue, Quirino, Sacred Heart, Tala, and San Jose del Monte.

“We’re looking at operating the Quezon City leg [of MRT-7] by the last quarter of 2025,” Bautista said. “Those are the stations from North Avenue to Lagro.”

Bautista said the first 12 stations will be operational by December 2025.

The Caloocan-Tala, 13th station, on the other hand, will be in operation “a year after,” according to the Transportation chief.

The North Avenue station will serve as an interchange with MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit Line 1 via the Unified Grand Central Station.

The project is expected to serve approximately 800,000 passengers per day once operational. — BM, GMA Integrated News