Metro Subway Works In Full Blast As DOTr Eyes Using 6 Tunnel Boring Machines By Year-End

Construction works for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) have been accelerated, with three tunnel boring machines (TBMs) currently in use and three additional units expected to arrive by year-end, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The TBMs will be utilized to complete the excavation for the tunnels, employing a top-down construction method for the stations. I Photo: PIA - Philippine Information Agency

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said that they are collaborating with the Japanese government to add more machines, expecting up to 19 TBMs to be operating simultaneously in the coming years, to expedite the construction of the MMSP, the country’s first underground railway system.

The 33-kilometer, 17-station MMSP is envisioned to cut travel time between Valenzuela City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City from the present one hour and 10 minutes to just 41 minutes, and between Bicutan in Taguig City to 46 minutes.

It is expected to serve up to 519,000 passengers daily.

Bautista stated that the more challenging part of the construction involves the stations, stressing that the DOTr has been working closely with contractors to ensure the timely completion of the 17 stations.

The TBMs will be utilized to complete the excavation for the tunnels, employing a top-down construction method for the stations.

He discussed that around 1,200,000 cubic meters of soil will be excavated using cut-cover and the TBMs for the partial operability (PO) section of the project, equivalent to 500 Olympic-size swimming pools.

For the tunnels alone, the excavation will be around 711,000 cubic meters or the equivalent of 285 Olympic-size swimming pools.