Govt to spend P6M for rehab of LRT-2 tracks

MANILA, Philippines – The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) will bid out a P6-million contract for the repair of damaged and cracked columns of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2).

In an invitation to bid, Nicolas Ombao, chairman of the bids and awards committee (BAC) of the LRTA, said that the repair is needed as there are about 64 pieces of broken plinths along the 13.6-kilometer mass transit system, which runs from Recto in Manila to Santolan in Quezon City.

The agency also received reports that the viaduct and concrete plinth had structural defects and were excessively vibrating at curved locations, resulting in speed restrictions.

“In the meantime, the condition of the tracks and guideway has worsened requiring immediate attention and action. In consideration of the critical nature of this finding, we recommend the immediate repair of the said plinths to improve the existing condition of our track system,” the LRTA said.

Ombao said companies that are at least 75% owned by Filipinos can join the bidding set for October 9.

Scope of work, the LRTA said, includes the demolition or replacement of existing short plinth; the insertion of temporary wooden block; cleaning of the plinth perimeter and cracked surface; installation of precast plinth and resilient layer; and testing of the repaired area.

The LRTA said the winning contractor should conduct site inspection and submit analysis of the defects and the repairs to be done. – Rappler.com