On Tuesday, May 7th, construction of the Light Rail Transit Line 1’s Cavite extension will finally commence. The Department of Transportation is now inviting transport beat members of the media to cover a kickoff event to be held in Barangay San Dionisio in Parañaque City. The extension is part of a P64.9-billion project that also includes the rehabilitation of the existing 20.7km route from Baclaran (boundary of Parañaque and Pasay) to Roosevelt Avenue (Quezon City).

The plan is to add eight new stations from Baclaran to Bacoor:

• Redemptorist (Aseana)
• Manila International Airport
• Asia World
• Ninoy Aquino
• Dr. Santos Avenue
• Las Piñas
• Zapote
• Niog

According to the project brief, the Cavite extension will measure 11.7km in length, 10.5km of which will be elevated and 1.2km will be at grade. This means the extension will bring the LRT-1’s total length to 32.4km. The target date for completion of the project—whose private proponent is Light Rail Manila Corporation—is set for the fourth quarter of 2021.

We suppose you will have to prepare for traffic rerouting if you live in or pass through the affected areas. Hang in there.