08/10/2020
LOOK: The construction of the Malolos-Clark Railway Project will begin by November according to the Transportation Department (DOTr).
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 2, from Malolos in Bulacan to Clark in Pampanga, is part of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Extension Project.
Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said he is targeting the Malolos-Clark Railway to partially operate by 2023 given that there are no delays in the construction.
The Phase 2 covers stations in Calumpit town in Bulacan, and in Apalit, San Fernando City, Angeles City, Clark and Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga.
Once it partially operates, the DOTr said the travel time from Malolos to Clark will be down to only 30 to 35 minutes from the usual one hour and 30 minutes.
The project’s construction has now the green light after the three remaining contract packages for the segment have been signed Thursday morning.
The DOTr explained these contract packages are necessary to complete the five civil works packages needed for the start of the project’s construction.
Package 1 will be built by Megawide Construction and Korean partners Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Dong-Ah Geological Engineering.
It covers two station buildings, 17 kilometers of elevated rail viaduct, and seven balanced cantilever bridges from Malolos to Minalin town in Pampanga.
Package 2, meanwhile, will be constructed by the joint venture of Spanish conglomerate Acciona and Korean construction company Daelim Industrial.
The package includes one station building and 16 kilometers of elevated viaduct from the town of Minalin, Sto. Tomas up to San Fernando City.
Package 3, on the other hand, will be built by Thai construction firm Italian-Thai Development Public Company.
It encompasses two station buildings and 12 kilometers of elevated viaduct from San Fernando City, Angeles City, up to Mabalacat in Pampanga.
The packages cost ₱28.37 billion, ₱33.70 billion, and ₱22.77 billi
