LRT-2 East Extension project opening moved to June 23

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the supposed opening of the LRT-2 East Extension has been moved to June 23. The eastbound section will then be added with two additional stations that will stretch all the way to Rizal province. 

The opening of the two new stations was originally slated around late April this year. Now, the target date has been moved by about two months. As per the Department of Transportation (DOTr), they are moving the formal inauguration of the LRT-2 East Extension Project from its original schedule on April 26 to June 23, 2021. 

The reason behind this decision is because of the “recent developments in the country’s COVID-19 situation”. Despite that though, the government agency did mention that the project is “already being substantially complete.” Aside from that, the following foreign rail experts who happen to be essential in the final stages of installation, testing, and commissioning works for the project were unable to report for work, as the Philippines is currently under stringent restrictions which then forbid them from entering the country.

While the inauguration has been moved to a further date, the supposed April 26, 2021 schedule will instead be utilized for an operational trial run. It was reported as of February 28 that the extension project had an overall progress rate of 96.51%, while the construction phase is at 94.03%. The two new stations include the Marikina and Antipolo station; it is expected to significantly cut travel time from Manila to Antipolo. Specifically, from the previous 3 hours Jeepney ride to only 40 minutes.

The east extension line will soon increase its capacity by 80,000 passengers per day. This ongoing pandemic has brought in several restrictions that have affected the final stages of installation, testing, and commissioning. Though, two months doesn’t seem quite far from now.