THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) updated Central Luzon stakeholders during the recent Philippine Economic Briefing on the status of big-ticket airport and rail projects in the region.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new passenger terminal building of Clark International Airport broke ground last December 20, 2017.

“Once completed, it will accommodate an additional eight million passengers annually,” he said.

Pre-construction activities for the Phase 1 of PNR Clark started last January 2018, with actual construction targeted to start in November 2018.

“Phase I is a 38-kilometer (km) segment spanning from Tutuban to Malolos City in Bulacan. With this line, commuters from Tutuban will reach Malolos in as little as 35 minutes,” Tugade said.

Phase II, on the other hand, is a 69-km stretch from Malolos City to Clark.

PNR Clark will have a total of 17 stations namely Tutuban, Solis, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos, Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Clark, Clark International Airport, and New Clark City.

Meanwhile, Tugade disclosed that the MRT-7 was 22.96 percent complete as of February 2018 and was on track to meet the target completion date in 2020.

This is a 22-km rail line that will connect Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte City.

The manufacturing of the 108 rolling stocks is in progress. At present, 5 train sets have been completed, equivalent to 15 cars. (PIA Central Luzon)