INFRACORP Development, Inc. looks to propose a monorail project connecting the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) to Eastwood City, in a bid to ease traffic congestion and increase connectivity for commuters in the area.
The infrastructure arm of Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) said it has identified three to four areas where it would like to build infrastructure solutions, with the Eastwood City to MRT-3’s Santolan Station being one of them. Eastwood City is an integrated township being developed by AGI’s property arm, Megaworld Corp.
AGI President and Chief Operating Officer Kingson U. Sian said the project will most likely replicate Infracorp’s proposal for the two-kilometer Skytrain, connecting MRT-3’s Guadalupe Station to Fort Bonifacio.
“The first model is important because it can serve as the model for the future Skytrain, including the equipment supplier, technologies, and so forth. Depende na lang sa haba (It will depend on the length),” Mr. Sian told reporters after AGI’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Eastwood City yesterday.
The group estimates the distance between Eastwood City and Santolan Station to be around five kilometers.
“We’re conducting preliminary discussions, and so far the local government units have been supportive,” Mr. Sian, adding that they are assessing the right of way components of the project.
AGI first ventured into the infrastructure sector last year with its proposal to build the P3-billion Skytrain at no cost to the government. Using automated cable-propelled monorail technology, the project seeks to transport passengers from MRT Guadalupe to Megaworld’s Uptown Bonifacio township in Fort Bonifacio within five minutes. The monorail will have a capacity of 60,000 to 100,000 passengers daily.
Mr. Sian said they are still evaluating potential partners for the operation and management of the Skytrain.
Infracorp’s proposal also includes provisions to interconnect the Skytrain with other transport hubs.
The Department of Transportation granted Infracorp the original proponent status (OPS) for the project last May. It is now undergoing review at the National Economic and Development Authority board’s investment coordination committee.
The project will then be subjected to the competitive Swiss challenge, where the government will request other companies to make competing offers. As the original proponent, Infracorp has the right to match them.
The company earlier said it can start construction for the project this year, with initial operations scheduled for 2021.
Infracorp is also part of the consortium of seven conglomerates that proposed to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for P105-106 billion. The consortium includes Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings, Corp., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings, Inc., and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
The group has also been awarded the OPS for the airport rehab earlier this month. — Arra B. Francia
