ADB Approves US$4.3bn Loan for Philippines Rail Line

• 1 July 2022
• Construction Focus
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The Asian Development Bank has announced the approval of a US$4.3 billion loan for the construction of the 55km South Commute Railway Project between Metro Manila and Calamba.

The project will include 18 stations and a connecting tunnel as an interchange with the planned Metro Manila Subway.

The line will ultimately form part of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) as the Southern Commuter Railway. When complete the NSCR will be the largest infrastructure project funded by ADB in Asia-Pacific.

ADB will finance viaducts, stations, bridges, tunnels and depot buildings, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency will fund the rolling stock and signalling systems.

In line with its regional support for transport infrastructure projects, the ADB is also currently funding the Malolos-Clark rail line which represents the North Commuter Railway.

Both lines will be designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes and will be elevated to avoid flooding.

• Road and Infrastructure