The rehabilitation of the LRT-1 in Metro Manila has seen its cost increase significantly, with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) allocating additional funds to upgrade key stations.
The total cost of the rehabilitation project for the LRT-1, originally estimated at PHP700 million, has now been raised to PHP1.48 billion. This includes a P772.5 million increase based on a March update. The additional funds will cover the repair of cracks in the viaducts and stations along the original alignment, from Baclaran to Fernando Poe Jr. stations. Another PHP750 million is allocated to improve the structural integrity of the EDSA and Monumento stations, two critical hubs in the system. The LRTA also set aside PHP22.5 million for administrative, engineering, and overhead services.
The rehabilitation is part of efforts to enhance the LRT-1’s service, which is crucial for commuters, especially those using EDSA station to transfer to the MRT-3 or heading to bus terminals. The extension of LRT-1 to Bacoor, Cavite, is expected to boost daily ridership to 800,000 passengers.
