MRT-7 hits nearly 70% progress rate — DOTr

The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) is inching closer to completion as the railway project, connecting Bulacan and Quezon City, achieved a nearly 70% progress rate.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the MRT-7 reached an overall progress rate of 69.86% as of April 2024.

"I saw the full speed construction and I'm very happy that they are completing the Quezon City leg of MRT-7 which will be operational at the end of 2025. I am very much impressed with how San Miguel Infrastructure has constructed all the facilities and I'm sure with all your help and hard work we should be able to open this Quezon City leg of MRT-7," said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

The DOTr said Bautista, along with San Miguel Holdings Corp. vice president and chief finance officer Raoul Romulo, conducted an inspection of the MRT-7 depot at Station 6 (Batasan Station) on May 23, 202.

In an earlier interview with reporters, the Transportation chief said the first 12 stations of the MRT-7 are targeted to be operational by December 2025, while the 13th station, the Caloocan-Tala, will be operational “a year after.”

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.

Meanwhile, the San Jose del Monte leg of the project might face delays as the city’s local government is seeking to realign the railway after stakeholders raised concerns about traffic congestion and the disruption of services in the affected area.

The SJDM LGU said 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 Arthur Robes said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News