What Happens to the Unified Grand Central Station in EDSA?
Ending a contract doesn't mean the project is over.
(SPOT.ph) After years of missed deadlines, the Unified Grand Central Station or the Common Station in EDSA— meant to link multiple train lines in one location—remains unfinished, leaving commuters to wonder if it will ever push through. What happens to the project now?
With construction at a standstill, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) confirmed it would be terminating its contract with the current contractor due to long-standing delays.
“Pinag-aaralan na ng ating legal team ang final termination ng kontrata para maka-move on na tayo,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said. “The delay is unacceptable. This project should by now have been completed.”
However, that doesn’t mean the Unified Grand Central Station will be abandoned—not at all. In fact, the DOTr is now searching for a new contractor and faster procurement options under the Government Procurement Act and the Public-Private Partnership Code to speed up the construction.
“Mas importante kailangan mabilis kasi malaking ginhawa ito sa komyuter natin,” Dizon said.
Also read: Marcos Proclaims a "Railway Renaissance"—What Can We Expect?
What to expect at the Unified Grand Central Station or Common Station
The idea of a common station to connect Metro Manila’s rail lines was first proposed in the early 2000s. The goal was to create a seamless transfer point between the LRT-1, MRT-3, and the upcoming MRT-7. Later, the Metro Manila Subway was also added to the plans.
Legal disputes over its location ended in 2013 when the government finally settled on a site between SM North EDSA and TriNoma.
The Unified Grand Central Station features a 13,700-square-meter concourse, with an intermodal system below allowing commuters to transfer to jeepneys, taxis, and buses.
It is designed with three key areas: Area A, where LRT-1 and MRT-3 passengers will board; Area B, a concourse built by Ayala Corporation that will serve as the main link between train lines and nearby malls; and Area C, where the future MRT-7 and Metro Manila Subway passengers will board.
The project broke ground in 2017 and was initially expected to open by 2021. However, repeated delays pushed back the deadline. If and when it is completed, the station is expected to handle around 500,000 passengers daily.
Also read: LOOK: The Common Station Connecting Metro Trains is Almost Complete