DOTr signs contract for design, construction of common train station

February 13, 2019

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a contract with BF Corporation- Foresight Development and Surveying Company for the design and construction of  Area A of the Unified Grand Central Station on Wednesday.

The Common Station, located at the north end of EDSA, marks the intersection of four railway lines=LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7 and the Metro Manila Subway. The 13,700 square common station will cater around 500,000 passengers once completed. 

The project has been stalled since 2009, but Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade settled the dispute on the location leading to its groundbreaking last September 2017. 

Failed bidding and commonality of design have caused delays in constructing the Unified Grand Central Station, according to  Tugade.

In an ambush interview after the signing ceremony in Quezon City, Tugade said :“We had a failed bidding but it was fixed. Second, the communication between San Miguel Corporation and Ayala Corporation in agreeing with their designs but it was fixed yesterday.” 

Tugade said they are still on time since they are expecting the common station to be operational by 2020.

The signing ceremony led by Tugade was done at the construction site in Quezon City around 1pm with other transportation officials and BF Corporation- Foresight Development and Surveying Company.

“What is the underlying reason why we have common station? It’s three (reasons), so that we can have integrability, interoperability and intermodality,” said Tugade.

The common station area A is worth P2.8 billion.

Tugade expressed his gratitude over the signing of contract but he said he is ready to fight the firm if they failed to finish the timeline they committed which is October 2022.

“But I should be happier if you will finish your contract within the quality and timelines design… If you fail to do so… I will fight you. I will throw the books at you if you don’t finish the project,” he warned.

Tugade said the Ayala group committed to finish the atrium by the end of this year.

Area B of the common station that was signed last year, an area connecting Areas A and C would be financed, built and operated by North Triangle Depot Commercial Corp. (NTDCC), an affiliate of Ayala Land, Inc. 

Area C for MRT-7 platform will be financed, built and operated by San Miguel Corp. DMS