MRT Line 8 (Metro Manila)

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The Metro Rail Transit Line 8, or MRT-8, also known as PNR East-West Line, is a proposed rapid transit line in the Philippines. It would be a 9-kilometer (5.6 mi) railway system connecting Sampaloc, Manila and Diliman, Quezon City via Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, and España Boulevard.

MRT Line 8
Overview
Other name(s)PNR East-West Rail
StatusProposed
OwnerPhilippine National Railways
LocaleManila, Quezon City
Stations11
Service
Operator(s)East West Rail Transit Corporation
Rolling stock4-car EMUs
Daily ridership600,000 (projected)
History
Planned openingTBA
Technical
Line length9.4 km (5.8 mi)
Track length18.8 km (11.7 mi)
Number of tracksDouble-track
CharacterElevated and underground
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Route map

Diliman Depot
 
Up arrow San Jose Del Monte
University Avenue
Quezon Memorial
Left arrow North Avenue
 
EDSA
3 MMS 
Left arrow Quirino Highway - FTI Right arrow
 NAIA Terminal 3 Right arrow
Left arrow North Avenue - Taft AvenueRight arrow
 
Timog
A. Roces
G. Araneta
Banawe
Welcome Rotonda
Antipolo Street
Left arrow Gov. Pascual-Valenzuela / Tutuban
  FTI / Alabang / Calamba Right arrow
University of Santo Tomas
 
Up arrow Roosevelt-North Avenue
Lerma
Antipolo Right arrow
Down arrow Baclaran- Niog

The railway line was formerly designated as MRT-9, which has since been designated to the Metro Manila Subway.

Background

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The right-of-way of Line 8 can be traced to the original MRT Line 4 proposal in the late 20th century. In 1999, the former Line 4 was to be located between Recto Avenue in Manila and Batasan Hills in Quezon City.[1] The proposed line was eventually renumbered as Line 8, with Line 4 redefined as the rapid transit alignment between Pasig and Taytay, Rizal after its approval in 2019.[2][3]

An unsolicited proposal for the project was submitted to the Philippine government by Malaysia-based construction engineering company AlloyMTD group in 2016,[4][5] and is awaiting approval by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). According to MTD Philippines, Inc. President Patrick Nicholas David, the project would cost 60 billion.[6]

It was then announced in 2020 that the line will undergo detailed design phase starting 2021. Construction would then commence the following year and the line shall open by 2027.[7]

A private company named Private Equity Investments and Development Corporation reported on its website on June 3, 2021 that the East West Rail Transit Corporation has sought French manufacturer Alstom to be one of its partners. They are expected to be involved in the project as an electromechanical supplier.[8]

Another proposal, from the MRT-7, as part of its future expansion, will tread the same path with the exception of starting from West Avenue onwards towards Pier 4, instead of Quiapo. Like with the MRT-8, this proposed expansion from the MRT-7 are still pending approvals. However, MRT-7 has already began construction works along West Avenue for its turnback tracks, and the guideway is the possible starting point of its proposed expansion.

Stations

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Line 8 would have 12 stations, all located in Quezon City or Manila.

List of stations
Name Distance (km) Structure type Connections Location
Between
stations
Total
University Avenue Depressed
Proposed interchange with   Manila MRT
Quezon City
Quezon Memorial Circle Depressed
Proposed interchange with   Manila MRT
  •    1  2  4  5  6  7  8  Quezon City Hall
Triangle Park Depressed
  •  1  Quezon Avenue
Timog Elevated
FPJ Avenue Elevated
Gregorio Araneta Elevated
Banawe Elevated
  •  6   7   17   34   49  Banawe
Welcome Rotonda Elevated
Maceda Elevated
   PNR
Manila
Lacson Elevated
Lerma Elevated
  •  6   7   17   34   49   53  Morayta
     5   14   38   40   52   54  A.Mendoza Street
Hidalgo Elevated

Rolling stock

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According to a November 12, 2020 meeting with barangay captains of Manila, the line will use 4-car trainsets.[9] Due to a 2016 National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) directive, all conventional rail lines including Line 8 will use standard-gauge track.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Iwata, Shizuo (March 5, 1999). Final Report Summary (PDF). METRO MANILA URBAN TRANSPORTATION INTEGRATION STUDY (Report). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Amojelar, Darwin G. (December 31, 2019). "Cabinet committee clears P59.3-b MRT Line 4 project". Manila Standard. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  3. ^ Jose, Ashley Erika (November 14, 2023). "DoTr seeking clearance to adjust MRT-4 loan terms". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  4. ^ Magkilat, Bernie Cahiles (March 21, 2018). "Alloy MTD offers to build P60-B Lerma-UP railway". Manila Bulletin Business. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  5. ^ Ab Wahab, Norsyafawati (November 10, 2016). "AlloyMtd to embark on Philippine MRT-9 project next year". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. ^ Crismundo, Kris (March 21, 2018). "Malaysian firm waits NEDA's nod for P60-B MRT-9 project". ptvnews.ph. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  7. ^ Villanueva, Lorie (December 9, 2020). Construction. East West Rail Transit Corporation. Retrieved October 2, 2021. (registration required)
  8. ^ "PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS (PNR) EAST WEST CORRIDOR". June 3, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  9. ^ Muñoz, Louie (November 12, 2020). PNR East-West Rail Project. Retrieved October 2, 2021. (registration required)
  10. ^ Barrow, Keith (August 9, 2016). "Philippines adopts standard gauge for new lines". Retrieved October 16, 2021.