MRT-3 rail replacement complete by 2021

MANILA, Philippines — Rail replacement works for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) are on track for completion by February next year as part of the government’s plan to restore the problem-plagued train system back to its high-grade state, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said yesterday.

The installation of new rails from the Buendia to Taft stations on the MRT’s southbound side and from Buendia to Magallanes stations on its northbound side have been completed, the DOTr said.

The agency said old rails from the Magallanes to Taft stations’ northbound side will be up for replacement next.

Sixty-eight long-welded rails with a length of 180 meters each were laid on the rail tracks of the MRT-3 since rail replacement activities started on Nov. 4 last year, the DOTr said.

The rail replacement is seen as a vital aspect in the comprehensive rehabilitation being undertaken to restore the MRT-3 to its original, “high-grade design” condition by the third quarter of 2021, the DOTr said.

The rail replacement works for the MRT-3 are done from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Once all the new rails are in place, the DOTr said the train speed would increase from 30 kilometers per hour to 60 kph.

The DOTr last year re-engaged the services of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which was the original designer, builder and maintenance provider of MRT-3 during its first 12 years of operations.

Under the MRT-3 rehabilitation project, Sumitomo-MHI will overhaul all 72 light rail vehicles, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signaling system, communications and closed-circuit television systems and repair all of escalators and elevators.

The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.