PHILIPPINES: A consortium comprising Marubeni Corp, DMCI Holdings and a local partner has been awarded a US$1·12bn contract by Universal LRT Corp to build and commission the 22 km MRT-7 metro line in Manila.

The Department of Transportation & Communications has recommended approval of changes to the project design that will increase the cost from US$1·2bn to US$1·4bn.

The 14-station line will run from San Jose del Monte station in Bulacan to a a new station on North Avenue, providing interchange to MRT-3 and LRT1. DMCI and First Balfour are currently completing an extension of LRT1 from Monumento to North Avenue, which is due to open in November.