DOTr reports good progress for its massive North-South Commuter Railway project 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has reported that the construction for the country’s first-ever airport express train is seeing good progress. In fact, a portion of the box tunnel for the said train route was already cast in Pampanga. 

The NSCR box tunnel 

The said piece is a part of the massive North-South Commuter Railway System (NSCR) project. It forms a portion of the 2.2-kilometer tunnel, leading to the Clark International Airport (CRK) Station.  

As for the construction of the new box tunnel itself, the DOTr also shared that around 800,000 cubic meters of soil have been excavated. After that, pouring of concrete, sheet piling, the installation of rebars, as well as waterproofing will commence. It also assures that the NSCR will be at par with international standards when it comes to the materials used. 

In total, the NSCR will have a full line length of over 147 kilometers, consisting of elevated double train tracks. The expected price tag for this huge project will clock in at around Php 800 billion, according to the DOTr.  

It is then slated to be partially operational in 2025, with a full opening by March 2029. By that time, it will then be operated by the Philippine National Railways. Two types of rolling stock will operate on the NSCR. These include a high-capacity commuter train, and a faster express train.  

The NSCR's target completion date is in 2029

As mentioned above, the NSCR will be able to provide an easier way for the denizens of Metro Manila to access the Clark international Airport. Once finished, the railway in question may provide a one-hour travel time from Makati to Clark.    

Multiple planned stations will then be put up in between Metro Manila and Clark. A branch line spanning 38 kilometers linking the NSCR to Angeles City has also been proposed.  

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